Chicken behaving badly - I am so over it

[Livia Ammon]

This makes me scared for my future! My chickens have all been good, except for a little egg eating that led to a couple dinners, and a couple of wild-y cockerels that also became dinners, a rooster that became a dinner…


… I see your point

 

[Altairsky]

The problem is not the chickens but how humans see chickens. People tend to see a bunch of chickens as a bunch of pets.
But they fail to understand that they have one pet only, and it's the flock as a whole.
Chickens are like cells of a bigger organism that it's the flock. When a cell became cancer, one might try to cure it but if all cures fails, than there's surgery and removal of the element that makes the whole body, aka the flock, sick.
Owning a flock of chickens also means to be aware that sometimes, someone needs to go for the health of the whole flock, and the health of the owner.
Especially when someone decides to accept a rehomed chicken, it often means they're getting someone else's "cancer". If it can't be cured, then it has to go. Often people create their own problems by not understanding the importance of keeping harmony in a flock as a whole, focusing instead on the single chickens.

My advice to have a relaxed, and relaxing, flock:

1 - Remove problematic chickens asap
This means culling, or rehoming them to someone who has a rooster. Often all a bully hen needs is a rooster that shows her manners.

2 - Chose the breeds wisely
Don't mix aggressive breeds with peaceful breeds. High production breeds tend to be nervous so avoid them. Start with calm, heritage breeds. Usually, fluffy breeds like cochin, orpington, faverolles, silkies, etc. are calm breeds.

3 - Plenty of space.
Free ranging fixes most bullying problems. If you can't free range, then focus on point 1 and 2

4 - Feed the flock animal protein once a week. If your birds are confined, no matter how much protein your commercial feed has, it can't replace all the bugs and worms that a chicken can find in a real pasture. Chickens need animal protein to be happy and calm their prehistoric need for blood. Raw minced beef, beef organ meat, cottage cheese, scrambled egg, fish, all is good for letting your chicken have some real protein.

5 - Good roosters fix nasty hens.
But bad roosters ruin everything. It's a possibility if you are allowed to have a rooster. But many roosters might became dinner before you find the perfect one. Perfect rooster though... they are a real blessing when they happen.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Some words of wisdom there, methinks.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

I didn’t see anyone suggest cluttering up the run yet - adding old tables, pallets etc. to break line of sight and make hiding spaces.

 

[SkyAJK]

Update:
This week, I noticed my big hen Apple is much more peaceful, quieter, and have not behaving like a rooster - mating others....

I had her outside in the garden alone and then we had lots of rain for a week so I have to put her back with the flock. In this flock I also have an oldest hen there - she is 4.

I don't know what or how, but my troublesome hen Apple has been so mellow, quietly, hanging out with everyone and my older hen Big Mouth is busy telling other hens off via pecking and everyone seem to follow her, they all sit near her quietly.

This sudden changed, I am guessing my older hen, Big Mouth has assumed the position of the leader in absent of a rooster and told the bully Apple to behave....of course this is my guess only.

I do not know how long Apple, the bully going to behave nicely, but I am graceful for it.

Note: My new leader is Big Mouth who is an Isa Brown.
Apple the bully is a Plymouth Rock, the biggest hen in my flock.

I pray this good change stays!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hope it lasts, Sky!

 

[SkyAJK]

Hope it lasts, Sky!

Lot of praying......and hope for the best and do expect the worse.

 

[SkyAJK]

I watched a video on youtube on how to be a rooster to your hens. I tried this with the hope that my flock will be more peaceful. So far, some of my hens squatted when I walk near them. I hope that they think I am their rooster and be harmonious. It is looking promising.

 

[tweeter_and_the_red_coop]

After observing my chickens up close all this time, it's apparent that they and other animals share some of the same neurological issues we have. We've long understood dogs have complex feelings and perceptions. So we should be applying some of the same coping mechanisms to them as we do to humans.

One of them I incorporate in my technique to treat bullying in the article @Eggcessive just linked to. Basically, what we're doing is to reduce the size and amount of stimuli the animal must deal with. Temple Grandon did some amazing studies on cows being sent to slaughter to determine the stress they experience and how to reduce the amount of terrifying sounds and sights that get them into a terrified state, which releases stress hormones, souring the meat.

Therefore, a dog with a high strung nervous system would also benefit by reducing the size of their world, sounds, and environmental stimuli. I use a few of these myself - ear plugs and dark glasses when I need to shop at Walmart. It creates an emotional "pod" with more manageable stimuli. You would need to experiment to find what works for your sensitive animal as no two beings are the same.

This is really insightful. I am neurodivergent too with Aspergers and some days I feel so ground to the last exposed nerve its unbearable. I have had to mask psychologically all my life being surrounded by extremely extroverted people - family, friends, community - with no tolerance for any kind of weakness. I was recently told at my daughter's Ivy League college graduation (she earned a full scholarship) to ditch the hat and sunglasses for pictures and I just could not do it because I was in such heavy overload.

The realization you just pointed out that our furry and feathered friends may experience neurodivergence, or at least sensory overload, as well just explained alot. Thanks for sharing your insight. It immediately applies to a chicken situation I'm currently having with my hens.

 

[SkyAJK]

Update: My troublesome hen Apple is no longer jump/mating other hens. This morning a hen squat in front of Apple, she looked at that hen and did nothing. I was over the moon, so my older hen that I introduced in this flock has made this flock peaceful and Apple stopped behaving like a rooster. No more bad behaviour from Apple and B.

I am so relief and very surprise at this positive changes.