50 baby chicks, and what I've learned

[LoneCowboy]

I recently raised 50 baby chicks to 7 weeks old and I learned a great deal about their different personalities. I had EEr's, Red Stars, Black Australorps, and Barr Rocks. Each group displayed interesting personality traits.

EEr's were very in my face. I had one little girls that would stomp up to me each morning and just tell me off. Later as they grew, they would jump up on the panel I put up to keep them inside, and tell me where to go and how to get there. Very funny.

Barr Rocks, would come up to me too, but not to tell me off. They'd come up to say "Hi!, whatcha doin', can I see?" As they grew up they would jump on the panal too, but it was still just to say Hi and see what I was up too. Now if you don't have a lot of experience with chickens, you might wonder how I can tell a difference, but you can.

Red Stars: Very active but doing their own thing. They didn't care what I was up to, just busy in their own little world.

Black Australorps: Very quiet shy birds, would stick to themselves and others of the same breed. Rearly would go outside when it was nice, and if they did, they'd go pretty much as a group. Not very outgoing or curious at all.

Now these could be the displayed personalities because of the situation I observered them in, but I thought I would share in case it was helpful to anybody.

 

[Wynette]

Thanks for sharing! Loved your descriptions; made me think of my own EEs, who are also very "in your face," but not in a mean way...just very curious and ALWAYS wanting to know what I'm doing when I'm in the chicken run!

 

[BarkerChickens]

HA HA! It is so true! We have our first chickens ever...6 pullets about 5 weeks old. Our 3 Barred rocks are very curious, sweet, and gentle. The 3 EEs are very sweet too, but definitely have the attitude that they will be pet when they are darn well and ready! HA HA Gabby, on of our EEs, was named as such because she is LOUD! If she wants something...by golly she is going to tell ya! Molly, our biggest EE, does not want to be picked up. But when I do get her, she wants to perch on my shoulder under my hair and makes cooing sounds. It is so darling...just don't try to move her because she will let you know what she thinks! It is HER shoulder and you will not move her! HA HA! We are so addicted to chickens!

 

[edster951]

Our light sussex seem to contuniously forrage, while the orps just like to sit and bask in the sun. They look like little balls of feathery fluff.

I could swear they are going to fall over asleep sometimes.

 

[gritsar]

Thanks for that nice post cowboy. It brought a smile to my face after a very rough night.

 

[LynnGrigg]

all the EEs I have ever owned were very curious. My redstars have always been easy going and friendly.

 

[SisterFlash]

Quote:
I hope you are doing better gritsar

Thanks what fun to hear about the chicks personalities. Nice to learn ... I hope others share their experience. Sort of fun to hear the sort of diva attitude that the EEs have. Love it.

Barb

 

[skeeter9]

Interesting that your Australorps are so shy. Mine follows me around the yard making little noises and if I stop somewhere, she makes sure she gets some attention. She loves to be held and massaged. She's also incredibly nosey - always getting in the way. . .

I wonder what other people's experiences have been with this breed?

Thanks for sharing - it's always interesting to hear about the personalities of everyone's birds.

Lori

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

Bo (Peep) was my first chicken; she is a Barred Rock. She is friendly, curious, comes when called (BoBo!!) and BAM! INNNCOMMMINNNNGGGG!!! LOL!

The Production Reds (her back-up group) are more stand-offish and hang together; Bo is kind of a loner in the chicken world; perhaps that's why she hangs out with me more?

I didn't raise my EEs, and they are skittish even though they've been with me for 3 months.

 

[Wildsky]

LOL - they're so darn cute with their own little ways.

My EE's are always first in line to see whats going on....

My RIR are a little less so, but the one will ALWAYS hop on my shoulder or my back if I'm bending over - they are also the first to see if they can eat my shoe laces, or zipper pull... what-ever, might be tasty! Voted most likely to get stepped on - they're ALWAYS under my feet.

My BO's are very sweet, not pushy at all, never really the first in line, but they're always the last to leave my side. They never look at my suspiciously, or even at the kids who are trying to sneak up on someone to pick em up! They get picked up often as they're never unhappy about it, they simply put up with being picked up and cuddled by whomever happens to be in the coop.

They're all so darn cute, and the BANTAMS - well they RULE the roost, I just saw the one little hen chasing the standards around this afternoon, someone must have stepped out of line!

They ALL come when called, they all think their name is CHICK CHICK CHICK and that being called by name means certain TREATS!