Wondering how to go about raising some super friendly chickens? It may surprise you to find that they’re capable of forming bonds and showing affection, just like our beloved pets!
Did you know that chickens can be just as cuddly as dogs and cats? Yup, you heard that right! If you, like me, ever thought chickens didn’t care much for human company before knowing the love of a chicken, then get ready for a lovely surprise. There’s nothing quite like being adored by a chicken!
In this blog post, we’ll go over the best tips for raising a friendly flock of chickens that will adore you just as much as you adore them. We’ll cover everything from choosing breeds, building trust, creating a comfortable environment, handling your chickens with care, and of course, keeping them happy and healthy.
Ready to make friends with your chickens? Let’s dive in!
Make Friends with Your Chickens
Intelligence of the Chicken
Before diving into raising friendly chickens, it’s essential to grasp just how intelligent and social these birds can be. Chickens, in my experience, exhibit remarkable levels of intelligence. My flock can distinguish between me and other family members. They’re attuned to their routines and notice any deviations from the norm. If they’ve managed to escape from an area before, they’ll undoubtedly remember it as a weak spot. My rooster, Butter, has a keen eye for fashion and can tell if I’m wearing new shoes that don’t meet his approval.
They’re deeply social creatures and form strong bonds with their chicken friends and their people. When my hens first started to lay eggs, I’ll never forget coming out to the chicken yard and seeing my flock rallied around one hen as she laid her first egg, providing support throughout the process.
I’ve had many moments when one of my chickens comes up to me and give me a look that I know means there’s something I need to check out. For instance, my chicken Viper had bumblefoot on her feet. Before I realized it, she came up to me, gave me that look, and then glanced at her foot, prompting me to check it out and discover the bumblefoot. Moments like these highlight the depth of their intelligence and empathy, qualities often underestimated in chickens.
For a deeper dive into the intelligence of chickens, check out the enlightening article by Carolynn “K-lynn” L. Smith and Sarah L. Zielinski titled “The Startling Intelligence of the Common Chicken” in Scientific American and the article “Thinking chickens: a review of cognition, emotion, and behavior in the domestic chicken” by Lori Marino. They both shed light on just how clever chickens can be, challenging preconceived notions and raising important questions about their treatment.
Friendly and Docile Chicken Breeds
I believe that all chickens can be friendly if raised with love, attention, and care, although there are breeds where they are known to naturally be more docile than others. For this reason, if you are looking to start off keeping a flock of friendly chickens, there are some breeds I would recommend for beginners like the Sussex, Australorps, Orpingtons, Legbars, Bielefelder, and Salmon Faverolles, to name a few.
It’s important to remember that every chicken has their personality and even a docile chicken breed may not turn into a lap chicken, and that’s ok! 3 out of my 15 chickens don’t ask to be picked up like the others, even though they are the same breeds and were all raised the same way. They are all still friendly, allow me to pick them up if I need to, and enjoy being around me. They just aren’t all about the cuddles like their flock mates.
[RELATED: The Buff Orpington Chicken | Best Beginner and Family-Friendly Breed]
Building Trust From Day One
Whether you’re nurturing baby chicks or tending to adult chickens, investing time with your flock lays the foundation for trust and camaraderie.
With my first group of baby chicks, I completely thought I had failed when it came to raising friendly baby chicks! They would be excited to see me when I would come in but because of the brooder setup, I wouldn’t let them out to roam around me and instead, I would reach down into the brooder to try and pick them up. Little did I realize but that mimicked how a predator would scoop down and scoop up a chicken.
When I finally switched them to a brooder that they could wander out, they would dash off with little interest in hanging out with me. I now know that they were just so excited to go explore their world.
I kept putting in time with them, sitting and letting them get used to me without asking them for anything besides offering treats from my hand. When they finally graduated from their brooder and started living outside, one of my chickens, Chicki, started following me around and demanding attention. Soon, my other Speckled Sussex ladies joined in, perching beside me on the chair or on my lap.
As for my second group of baby chicks, I started them off in a brooder that allowed me to let them out to be able to see me much sooner. I found this to be the best approach as these chicks were much more trusting and would perch on my knee and happily come up to me. You can read more about what baby chick essentials I used and the brooder setup I liked best here.
My advice to you is simple: Time, consistency, be present with how you show up, and an open setup for your chicks. Spend quality time with your flock, even when progress feels slow. Allow for baby chicks to explore around you and get used to you being there.
[ RELATED: How Horses Taught me About Building a Relationship with Roosters (Applies to Hens too!) ]
Creating a Comfortable Environment
Just like us, chickens thrive when their basic needs are met: access to food, water, shelter, and security.
Maintaining harmony within your flock is crucial for their overall happiness and health. While it’s impossible to eliminate all sources of stress, you can take steps to minimize them like keeping docile breeds with other docile breeds.
Predator protection is also very important. Invest in a sturdy chicken coop where your birds can safely roost at night, shielded from nocturnal predators. Additionally, ensure your chicken run is predator-proofed to safeguard against daytime threats.
[RELATED: What Do Chickens Need in a Coop? 8 Tips for a Happy Coop]
Working with Roosters | Resources
Roosters are very misunderstood. I really believe they have so much love to give but they also have strong instincts to look for danger and always be on guard to protect their beloved hens. Knowing how to work with your rooster and forming a bond is possible!
I’d highly recommend checking out the following resources, no matter what breed of Rooster you have:
- Read my post on how to build a relationship with your rooster
- Learn how working with horses prepared me for working with roosters
- Watch the Roovolution YouTube video on Rooster behavior
- Check out the Rooster Allies Home Base Facebook page for lots of rooster articles
- Join the Rooster Allies Facebook group
- The people who run Roovolution will even give you a free consultation on working with your roosters
Handling with Care
Handling your chicks gently and regularly is essential for socialization. Start by letting them come around you and then carefully picking them up and holding them close to your chest, supporting their bodies with your hands. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises, as these can startle them. As they grow, continue to handle them gently to reinforce trust and familiarity. I just wouldn’t advise forcing it. You want them to trust you and grabbing, holding down, or forcing interactions isn’t going to help foster that trust.
How to Pick Up a Chicken
When picking up a chicken, it’s important to handle them with care. Begin by approaching them calmly and confidently while facing them directly. Using both hands, gently scoop them up, ensuring to support their body with one hand under the breast and the over their wings. This method minimizes stress and reduces the risk of injury to the chicken.
You can watch how to pick up a chicken in my video of Batter getting a bath here.
What Not to Do When Picking Up a Chicken
Avoid using an overhead approach when picking up chickens, as this can mimic the behavior of a predator swooping down from the sky, which may frighten them. Instead, opt for a front-facing approach to minimize fear responses.
Don’t squeeze too tightly! If a chicken is in the process of forming an egg, you risk breaking the egg inside of your hen. This can be life-threatening and they will need medical attention.
Picking up a Rooster
I pick up my rooster a little differently than I do my hens. You always want to protect your eyes from an accidental peck and I’m extra cautious when it comes to my rooster. It took a little while but he has learned that if he wants picked up, he moves to my side and waits for me to scoop him up this way. I point to the direction I want him to stand and once he does it, I immediately pick him up to reinforce it.
Regular handling helps them get used to human interaction, which comes in handy when doing health checks or administering care. Make sure to take it easy, be gentle, and your chickens will appreciate the love and care!
How to Pet a Chicken
When petting a chicken, calmly and gently stroke their feathers in the direction they naturally lay. Avoid sudden movements or rough handling.
My chickens each have their own way they prefer to be pet. Just like cats, some love chilling while you pet their face and back, whereas others prefer only pets on their back. Your chicken will let you know!
Health and Wellness
A healthy chicken is a happy chicken, so it’s essential to keep an eye on their health and wellness. Provide a balanced diet with plenty of fresh water, high-quality chick starter feed, and occasional treats for variety. Regularly check for signs of illness or injury and consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Above all, remember that building a bond with your chickens takes time and patience. Be consistent in your interactions, respect their individual personalities, and enjoy the journey of watching your flock grow and thrive!
Want to follow along for more chicken happenings with Butter the rooster and his ladies? Follow us on Instagram or subscribe on YouTube!
This post was all about how to get a chicken to like you and raising friendly chickens. By following these tips and investing time and care into your chicks and chickens, you’ll be well on your way to raising a friendly and affectionate flock!
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Hi there! I’m Jess, a backyard chicken keeper living on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. With my flock of 15 friendly chickens, my mission is to help others feel confident about raising happy, healthy, and super friendly chickens. My dream is that everyone gets to know the love of a chicken and experience the joy they bring to your life.
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