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Chickens crowding me?

 
pollinator
Posts: 98
Location: West Central Georgia
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Every video of chicken owners I see, their chickens completely ignore them.  My 8 flock as close to me as possible to where if they're loose, I'll have a hard time not stepping on them.  They're about 17 weeks.  Am I not feeding them enough?  Feeding them too often?  Not letting them forage enough?  Or is it because I'm only in the yard twice each day?  I feel dumb asking this, but I am anyway.  
 
steward
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Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane
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Hey, if you raised them from chicks, then you're their mother.
As they learn to forage more, they'll begin ignoring you more (unless you spoil them).  LOL
 
steward
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Location: Northwest Montana from Zone 3a to 4b (multiple properties)
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I take it you have fed them since they were chicks? That is a usual response for chickens, especially if you're pretty calm around them or talk nicely to them. When the Bride or I feed ours, or anytime we go in the standup tractor I made, they come huddling around, especially when I bring in windfall fruit and split it open for them. They, in turn, bless us with a rather exuberant amount of eggs.

In general, I think all is well there. They'll eventually not hover so much.
 
Emily Smith
pollinator
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Location: West Central Georgia
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Thanks for the reassurance.  Yep, raised and people fed from chicks.  I've been putting them in the garden more and more, but we still generate kitchen scraps that I toss in there.  I'm glad they'll grow out of it, though.  I'm afraid of stepping on one or having my pants pecked to shreds.  I don't have cool rubber boots yet, so this is a real risk.  
 
John Polk
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You don't want it to get out of hand though.
Do not feed them near the house, or every time you come out.

A friend did this, and now they practically live (and poop) on the front porch.

 
No. No. No. No. Changed my mind. Wanna come down. To see this tiny ad:
Willow Feeder movie
https://permies.com/t/273181/Willow-Feeder-movie
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