There is nothing wrong with not wanting to bond with your chickens. Many chickens live happily without a bond with their human. Not everyone has time or the desire to be buddies with their chickens. It’s OK to keep chickens as livestock for a farm. That being said, I get much enjoyment from the benefits chickens bring to my life. They’re entertaining, some can be loving, and they can help with my emotional well-being.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you begin bonding with your chickens. First off, chickens are prey animals. They know that just about any other animal is a threat to them. That includes you. It takes time to gain the trust of your chickens. I hand-feed my rooster daily, and some days he is still leery of my intentions. This instinct is what keeps them alive and thriving. They must be careful of anyone or anything in their environment because they’re at the bottom of the food chain. Their daily goals involve finding food (truly the key to their hearts), laying eggs and finding a safe place to sleep.
Let’s look at how these facts plays into bonding with them.