One of my favorite parts of chicken ownership is seeing all their different personalities. In my group:
My NHRs, the friendliest group as chicks, are now the most standoffish. They still come around to see what I'm doing, and look for treats, but pretty much do whatever they want most of the time.
My BRs as a breed are the loudest, and the most collectively friendly. One likes to stand on my shoe and be petted, and attempted to fly onto my 3yo dd's shoulder the other day. She is very friendly, first always looking for treats and adventure. The other BR girls aren't far behind, and will follow me around the yard.
My RIR girls each are complete individuals. Peggy, my super squatter, always hangs around. Not crazy normally about petting (although she squats if I happen to walk too close, so it's hard to tell these days!), but likes to see what's up. Her sister RIR is a background chicken. Somewhat curious, somewhat friendly. Not overly much of either.
My favorite by far is my pullet Jane. She's a blue splash d'Anvers, and has been campaigning for house chicken status for quite some time. She hangs out in the coop henhouse with me in the mornings, loves to ride on my shoulder, adores being petted. The cock in the group was her mate, and he is 1lb of pure manliness ROTFLMAO! He struts so high sometimes that he walks on his tiptoes (reminds me of some sort of Stalin impersonator!).
My only chickens that are completely standoffish are the 3 silkie/americauna mixes. They were hatched under a hen, lived with her free range for three weeks before being given to me. They are the kids' favorites (two have silkie feathers), but no amount of holding has gotten them to even LIKE me. They won't come for treats unless I drop them and move back.
Love this topic. Thanks everyone for the personality insight!
Meghan
My NHRs, the friendliest group as chicks, are now the most standoffish. They still come around to see what I'm doing, and look for treats, but pretty much do whatever they want most of the time.
My BRs as a breed are the loudest, and the most collectively friendly. One likes to stand on my shoe and be petted, and attempted to fly onto my 3yo dd's shoulder the other day. She is very friendly, first always looking for treats and adventure. The other BR girls aren't far behind, and will follow me around the yard.
My RIR girls each are complete individuals. Peggy, my super squatter, always hangs around. Not crazy normally about petting (although she squats if I happen to walk too close, so it's hard to tell these days!), but likes to see what's up. Her sister RIR is a background chicken. Somewhat curious, somewhat friendly. Not overly much of either.
My favorite by far is my pullet Jane. She's a blue splash d'Anvers, and has been campaigning for house chicken status for quite some time. She hangs out in the coop henhouse with me in the mornings, loves to ride on my shoulder, adores being petted. The cock in the group was her mate, and he is 1lb of pure manliness ROTFLMAO! He struts so high sometimes that he walks on his tiptoes (reminds me of some sort of Stalin impersonator!).
My only chickens that are completely standoffish are the 3 silkie/americauna mixes. They were hatched under a hen, lived with her free range for three weeks before being given to me. They are the kids' favorites (two have silkie feathers), but no amount of holding has gotten them to even LIKE me. They won't come for treats unless I drop them and move back.
Love this topic. Thanks everyone for the personality insight!
Meghan