- Apr 5, 2011
- 13
- 0
- 21
PSYCHOLOGY OF THE LAYING HEN!
I have been raising show poultry in South Africa for about 16 years. The psychology of the various breeds I have had, has been a source of immense entertainment and frustration over the years!
So, i am now ready to set up my breeding pens and with much enthusiasm I pair up according to ring numbers the girls who will be lucky enough to be with VOLDEMORT the STUD of my Australorp breeders. Now Voldemort, you can guess by his name, is quite a handful. You go into his breed pen when he has girls and need a crash helmet, boots and a broom.
The broom is for finding your toes when you have finished and sweeping them all up into a pile so you know they are all in the same place.
The girls I have picked are not young, they know what is required of them and they eye me with that beady eye that says: "You really are funny if you think we are going to stay with that idiot."
Ok, so I leave them to it. They eye one another, and the STUD makes his move. Quick as a flash, the girls form into flying squad formation, face him head on and charge.
He looks confused, stops, checks his feet, " Did I leave something behind this morning?"
Round two: He finally corners one girl, tries to have his way but she is screaming blue murder, alerts the others who charge again.
Round three:
He retreats to the end of the run and pretends this is all part of his master plan, even if he does have a bloody comb.
After a week of this, no eggs to be seen anywhere, girls all busting to lay but with that stubborn "I wont" look on their face, I let them win and send in Gentleman Jack, whom the girls all adore.
Eggs galore, all girls lining up to lay with a sigh of relief, all filled and not a mark on any of the ladies. Sigh...
This is typical of Australorps.
They are choosy. No I dont like that tyre, I want a box to lay in...and be quick about it or Ill lay on the ground. No, not THAT box, whatever made you THINK I would consider a box like that, dont they teach you anything at chicken school? REALLY!
Please dont be stupid, you want me to lay my precious eggs in SHAVINGS? My dear how absolutely BOURGEOIS!
Give me top grade aerograstis hay. And I want it in that corner not this corner please, and be quick about it or I will lay it on the ground.
PLEASE you want me to have HIS babies? Forget it, I will lay no eggs or I will break every one I lay...so there!
This breed is not the only one. Watch your girls carefully and you will see they do have preferences and HOW!
So, my advice? Chickens are not as stupid as we make out. You may think they are laying an egg for your breakfast but to them it is vastly more important than that. It is the future of their breeding line, a precious baby. Listen to the needs of your birds. Forget the books, observe the birds, they will tell you what they need at any given time. There is no substitute for observation.
I have been raising show poultry in South Africa for about 16 years. The psychology of the various breeds I have had, has been a source of immense entertainment and frustration over the years!
So, i am now ready to set up my breeding pens and with much enthusiasm I pair up according to ring numbers the girls who will be lucky enough to be with VOLDEMORT the STUD of my Australorp breeders. Now Voldemort, you can guess by his name, is quite a handful. You go into his breed pen when he has girls and need a crash helmet, boots and a broom.
The broom is for finding your toes when you have finished and sweeping them all up into a pile so you know they are all in the same place.
The girls I have picked are not young, they know what is required of them and they eye me with that beady eye that says: "You really are funny if you think we are going to stay with that idiot."
Ok, so I leave them to it. They eye one another, and the STUD makes his move. Quick as a flash, the girls form into flying squad formation, face him head on and charge.
He looks confused, stops, checks his feet, " Did I leave something behind this morning?"
Round two: He finally corners one girl, tries to have his way but she is screaming blue murder, alerts the others who charge again.
Round three:
He retreats to the end of the run and pretends this is all part of his master plan, even if he does have a bloody comb.
After a week of this, no eggs to be seen anywhere, girls all busting to lay but with that stubborn "I wont" look on their face, I let them win and send in Gentleman Jack, whom the girls all adore.
Eggs galore, all girls lining up to lay with a sigh of relief, all filled and not a mark on any of the ladies. Sigh...
This is typical of Australorps.
They are choosy. No I dont like that tyre, I want a box to lay in...and be quick about it or Ill lay on the ground. No, not THAT box, whatever made you THINK I would consider a box like that, dont they teach you anything at chicken school? REALLY!
Please dont be stupid, you want me to lay my precious eggs in SHAVINGS? My dear how absolutely BOURGEOIS!
Give me top grade aerograstis hay. And I want it in that corner not this corner please, and be quick about it or I will lay it on the ground.
PLEASE you want me to have HIS babies? Forget it, I will lay no eggs or I will break every one I lay...so there!
This breed is not the only one. Watch your girls carefully and you will see they do have preferences and HOW!
So, my advice? Chickens are not as stupid as we make out. You may think they are laying an egg for your breakfast but to them it is vastly more important than that. It is the future of their breeding line, a precious baby. Listen to the needs of your birds. Forget the books, observe the birds, they will tell you what they need at any given time. There is no substitute for observation.
Last edited: