Chicken Personalities

[ChickenGeorge]

I have had my ladies for a bit now and have noticed that they all seem to develop their own personalities. I have several that will run up to you and squat down, if you don't rub them or pick them up, the will run back up to you and do the same. Some of them will just follow you around the yard, never getting to close, but never are far. My Black Giants are constantly talking to me, where as my Buffs are stand offish. The Buffs are constantly going to my garden, they will go right to the edge and stop and look to see if I am watching. They have not eaten a single little plant, I think they are teasing me, wanting me to come shush them out. As soon as I get close off they go back to the barn. I know they are laughing at me. My Doninques are the most far ranging, they are constantly up in the yard by the house. They are such a pleasure to just watch, I do enjoy them so.

 

[bigzio]

ChickenGeorge, chickens do have their own personalities an that's what make them so much fun. If one was to only have one breed of chicks, you still have different dispositions amoung the flock. Too much fun.

bigzio

 

[cookinmom]

My little leghorn, Pearl, thinks she's the queen. She runs to me and pecks my toes til I pick her up, and then she likes to run up my arm, or hop on my shoulder, and look down on all the subjects down below.

A couple of the roos jump on my lap whenever I sit down (I don't think it's from sweetness; I think they're trying to show me who they think is boss and it ain't me!) If they start fussing, here comes Pearl running over to check on her mom!

Hot Rod, the RIR, is the most timid. She's the last one out of the house in the morning, and will sometimes stand there and peep until I call to her and tell her its ok to come out.

 

[marie_martin]

I am glad to know others think that animals have personalities. My experience with chickens is somewhat limited so far, but my goats (nigerian dwarf goats) definitely have different personalities. Some like to talk to you a lot, some like to be rubbed, some are more pushy, some very laid back, some don't want you touching them unless you have a treat of course. I love them all because of their differences. And I am sure I will love all my chickens too, when I get more. I only have two so far and love them very much.

Marie

 

[SpottedCrow]

Absolutely!!!

Obelisk is Queen also...must be a Leghorn thang!
Penny will come and climb up your side to get a pat...nothing beats sitting at the computer and suddenly there's a heavy feeling and it's a little chicken climbing up your sweater.
Slifer had a bit of an attitude, but she'd sit on your lap as long as you'd let her, which could be a bit hard since she was a Brahma...your legs had a tendency to fall asleep.

 

[Kelly FG]

yup, each of my 8 girls have their own personality.
Daphne my black australorp is Queen & she bosses everyone around, but with me she is lovable. She loves to be held, loves laptime, loves being carried around the yard, even car rides are fine with her.
Marguerite the buff orp is very mellow, rarely fights with the others & loves laptime.
Sunny the other buff orp was slow to mature & she is a spoiled baby that will fly up on my shoulder or arm whenever she can. She also is becoming very bossy & she has this new screaming noise she makes at the other girls.
These three will sit on my lap together peacefully & happy for hours if I let them, if anyone else tries to join in, its trouble.
Penny-EE is very friendly, follows me around, likes to be held & she talks from the minute the sun comes up till bed time
Genevieve my other EE is afraid of everyone & everything, she is small & skittish, but she's a real sweetie to me & when she's afraid she'll fly up onto my arm.
Mimi my barred rock is beautiful, but she doesn't care from human affection, she is happy enough for me to feed her & thats it. She also has a very unique voice. Recently she has been attempting to crow like a rooster.
Olivia my red star is at the bottom of the pecking order & always runs over to me, sometimes she'll even come out of the coop to greet me at dusk when I go out to lock them up. She would rather be with me than the other girls.
Filomena my SLW is like a crabby old lady, she bullies the others at snack time, she's a trouble maker at roost time & she's a lazy layer, she is very pretty though.
I must say my girls starting developing their distinct personalities while still in the brooder. Now they are one year old & I know them by their voices, which egg belongs to which hen & I know what they expect from me. They are a joy.