Years ago, in the late 150's, baby chicks used to be given to children as Easter gifts. Although illegal now, it was determined that most of these chicks died due to improper care. But not all of them died. I was given two baby chicks. They were appropriately housed in a coop and feed chicken feed. They were also handled every day and became gentle pets who allowed you to hold and pet them, even as full-grown white leghorn roosters. They'd come up to people of their own accord for petting or treats. Since we lived in the city and they had started crowing, they had to be sent to live in barns (different farms) and were never slaughtered for a meal as they quickly endeared themselves to those farmers and families. My sister had a pair of bantams that were also tame (they lived on a farm), but unfortunately, foxes got them. We have a coop with 5 hens out here. Two of them were hand raised and the Rhode Island red will actually accompany my sister and ride around on the front seat next to her and appears to enjoy the ride. I think chickens are smarter than most people give them credit for.