What I cannot figure out is why they know how to peck when they came from an egg and no Mama to show them. Someone had to know they needed to know how to do this. They actually needed to know they would not get out without pecking.
Another misconception out there is that a hen will lay 150 to 200 eggs a year for 4 or 5 years, not true. All the eggs a hen will produce are predetermined when the hen is hatched. They usually have about 400 to 600 eggs available. How many laid a year is more determined by the breed and...
Cages enclosed in buildings and closed flock are the absolute best protection from disease. Serious breeders keep thier foundation stock in such a manner. You must use the proper wire for the floor. I prefer dirt floor to be available but does increase disease risk.
Here is one I hear alot "free RIR rooster free to a good home not for FIGHTING", my father raised birds for other people for fighting them back when it was more socially accepted and I can tell you a RIR was not used never nadda, you would be laughed out of the room by serious gamecock breeders...