Chicken Psycology

[GreggKznSA]

I consider Chickens pretty high on the Intelligence Register in many respects and there is clear evidence of learned behavior and memory retention. Well most of the time but there are 4 observations that have me stumped so I'm wondering whether anybody has figured this out or can offer a perspective to help me stop scratching my head.

Why do Chickens mob charge you from a distance when its feeding time when they should have learned by now that if they just wait at the spot where you always feed them? I free-range my flock but only feed them in one spot every single time.

What is it that causes them to go selfishly beserk with scant regard for their Pals when feeding? They are after all "Flock" animals and one would think that there would be some kind of group support mentality in their behavior.

Why when in their Coops do they knock their Water Dispensers over repeatedly in a "blind drunk" fashion when it is a very important life supporting source?

Why do they crap in their Water & Feed Dispensers.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

 

[SilkieNation]

Hi there,

Here are my random thoughts - not based on science.

Charging at feeding time.
I think many domesticated animals do this - my cats for example. A bowl of food is easy pickins. Free ranging is great but it takes more energy to fill up.
Maybe they're hungry?
Have you considered leaving food out for them during the day?

Having no apparent regard for the nutritional needs of their friends.
Pecking order - hierarchy. Survival of the fittest. If you watch them, you should see the dominant ones peck the lower ranking ones who try to dive into the food before the dominants have their fill.
I don't think chickens are smart enough to think it through and understand that at a certain time of day, they should go to the place where you feed them and wait.
Chickens do form social structure and close bonds, but that doesn't change the fundamental social hierarchical behavior encoded in their genes.
You need to watch the weaker ones to be sure they are not getting bullied, that they are getting enough food, that they are not getting damaged by an aggressive rooster (if hen).

Waterers get knocked over.
That's what chickens do? I put my waterers up on bricks ( I have Silkies so they're small), a cinder block would work for larger breeds. Some people hang them.
Do they have enough room in their coop?

Crapping in their water.
Pretty much the same as above.

Check out these articles - I grabbed them very quickly from the Internet. If you google, you'll find lots on chicken behavior.

https://www.dvm360.com/view/backyard-chickens-natural-history-husbandry-and-social-structures

http://passionpoultry.co.zw/post2.php

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-psycology.1359930/

Silkienation

 

[rosemarythyme]

1) Being descendants of dinosaurs, they're trying to knock you over so they can eat you (ok, they're probably just excited at the prospect of FOOD so they come running)

2) Humans are also social animals, why do we go selfishly berserk to get stuff for ourselves at the cost of someone else? Example: Black Friday.

3) Mmm, that's more on the keeper. For safety reasons and to ensure they have access to water, the waterer should be secured so that doesn't happen.

4) Because chickens love super disgusting water. Any muddy puddle, any rain dripping off a fence, is more delicious than the clean water we offer them.

 

[aart]

3 and 4 are keeper issues.
Secure feed and water where it will not be pooped on or knocked over.
They don't purposely poop in their water, it just happens.