BYC Café

[Shadrach]

She's a strange hen is Mel. She had mild neurological problems when she was a chick, probably caused by egg disturbance while her mother Ruffles, was sitting.
Mel hatched her own chick who turned out to be the much publicized Treacle, aka, boot lover.
Mel and her chick were attacked by a Goshawk and Mel fought the hawk off sustaining some considerable wounding to her chest and side. These wound required stitching and keeping clean and consequently I handled Mel a lot. I used to sit her in the palm of my hand when she was recovering from her injuries in the forefinger and middle finger lightly gripping one of her legs. She was an exceptionally good patient for what was obviously a feisty hen.
I don't pick the hens up if I can avoid it during the day. The hens don't like it much, the roosters certainly don't like it and it just adds some unnecessary stress to everyones day.
What I do do though is handle them while they're standing in daylight; bum cleaning, mite inspection, minor cuts and leg problems are all dealt with with the hen standing. Most are used to this the elders the more cooperative. Mel will happily let me lift one wing while she stands, pick up one foot reluctantly, examine her vent and open her beak.
What she won't do anymore is to sit in my palm if I carry her.
Mel has tried to sit and hatch a few times since her hawk encounter. Each time I lift her off the eggs gently and place her on my palm; bear in mind she's not fully out of broody trance. She sits until she comes round and then tries to fly out of my hand. That's how it seemed on the first couple of occasions. What she is doing is not so much objecting at being carried but having her wings constrained. The moment she is standing with her wings free she's fine. It's a bit like carrying a hawk.
Tonight I put her on my shoulder when she had finished flapping and walked up to her coop in the dark. Hardly a murmur out of Mel. A bit of rocking about due to the terrain and a moments panic when I got her to step back on to my fingers so I could place her on the perch and that was it.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Afternoon all well actually a bit later life has thrown me loops now it is we have no water town has a break in the line now is when I would love to hook into the old well here ...
I do not pick my birds up allot either Shad no reason they are healthy birds

 

[Meg-in-MT]

That's quite the story, Shad. Sounds like a cool bird.

 

[DobieLover]

It is. I submitted a paper about a year ago which they liked but didn't publish. An ongoing problem with all animal behavior studies is they cannot be reproduced under laboratory conditions. Science has until recently been a bit stuck on this matter. Scientists know that a lot of interesting stuff is slipping through the net because there are not many academics who are prepared to spend a decade studying in the field so to speak.
Instead of repeatable experiments one is reliant on observations. Collect enough data and compare with others who have collected data and you start to have a theory.
Needless to write I have quite a few of those.
More recently, in animal behavior particularly people have been producing 'accounts' rather than experiments. Such accounts are quite valid, but one needs to be very stringent in describing the circumstances under which the account is based.
There are some great behavior stories here on BYC, but the details are missing. Unfortunately many people see the event but don't recognize the importance of the factors that led up to it, or the consequences of it. It's a bit like some of the my hen is sick posts.
I recall one where with a bit of digging it became apparent that the 'coop' that the chickens were kept in which was a metal garage had recently been painted. Lots of advice about crop checks and diet etc, but careful reading showed that the chickens had been pecking the paint.

I hope that you get the funding that you seek.
I for one have found your articles and stories extremely interesting and educational. They have helped me greatly. I have learned new ways to observe my flock, their interactions with each other and with me. It is rather fascinating.
I've used your techniques to tame (well... almost) my savage beast!
For example, today when I approached the pen with the afternoon mash, I could see immediately that Fabio had once again chosen to wear his pissy pants. (That boy really needs to do his laundry more frequently). Any way, I tossed a clump of mash smack in front of him to call the hens. He glared at me and tried to move in closer to give me a flogging. I dumped another clump of food, this time it landed ON him. Again, he jockeyed around the hens that were swarming his feet to come towards me. I stood right where I was, stared him right in the eye and pointed at him and said "STOP". He stared back for a few seconds and then started to slowly walk toward the run. I followed behind him at his pace. He walked to the trough and I began to fill it and he was utterly fine again.
I think it was similar to your boy who would have a fit when you fed the hens but was fine if he met you first and you brought the food together. You've seen Fabio walk. He's like a linebacker. He cannot get to me before the hens do. I'll see how he is tomorrow. But, because I've read your many observations, I was able to respond the way I did and it was a positive outcome. So, thank you... again.

 

[pennyJo1960]

My EE cockerel I think is going to be a good rooster for me think I only want to keep the one rest will go to auction on Friday

 

[Shadrach]

Good morning Cafe.
Coffee is made.
Heart check at the hospital today. I hope they're running on time.

 

[N F C]

Morning Cafe

Thanks for the coffee Shad. I hope all goes well at the hospital for you!

 

[igorsMistress]

G'morning

 

[N F C]

G'morning

Hi IM, watchya up to today?

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi IM, watchya up to today?

Biting my tongue and keeping my mouth shut despite the difficulty. How about you?