Imprinting, which happens to chicks on their first day of life, is the foundation of a chicken’s relationship with people.
Imprinting occurs when a newly hatched chick identifies its parent or other significant individuals in its environment within a few hours after hatching.
The chick will then attempt to mimic the behaviors of these individuals, such as walking and scratching for food, which helps them survive in the wild.
They also learn to recognize familiar faces and objects through this process, which can be beneficial for domesticated chickens and their owners.
Imprinting is an important process in chickens, as it affects their social behavior and development. It has a lasting impact on how chickens interact with one another and can even influence their mating habits.
A chick begins to feel fear by the time it is 3 days old, which is why getting along with baby chicks that were hatched at your home is simpler than getting along with mail-order chicks or mature chickens.
Whether or not your chickens are imprinted on you, you should always move calmly and avoid sudden movements to reduce stress.
You can also chat or sing softly while you go among them so they can keep track of where you are.