Chickens and Dinosaurs

[Brandi Leigh]

My family just got our first flock of chickens several months ago, so I did not have any idea about what was normal chicken behavior. I figured they would be like chicken you see in movies. Quitely foraging and minding their our business. But they turned out to be anything but unnoticed background 'lawn ornaments'.As they grow, the roosters in particular, started to make me think about dinosaurs! It amazed me the way they would go stomp running thru the run like little feathery T-Rexs! My coop and run look like a clip from Jurassic Park!I have since caught several shows on National Geographic and other programs that talk about the relationship between dinosaurs and chickens. My favorite ones are the shows that have images of dinosaurs with wildly colored feathers. Anyways, I was wondering what other 'dino-like' behaviors people have noticed in their chickens?!?!

 

[rollkeeg877]

chickens are omnivores and mine have killed mice and eaten them before same with rats and they say that chickens are dissidents of T-rex and i could see that because they run and sound like a dinosaur when they do those groaning sounds

 

[centrarchid]

The incubate eggs and grow fast like dinosaurs. With behavior it is difficult to get beyond speculation on dinosaurs but at least some of the smaller omniverous dino's were likely very chicken like in their behavior. Many likely led their chicks about and provided some form of protection when they could. Dino's of same size could likely run faster and likely had to climb using forlimbs while many chickens are capable of powered flight at the expense of sustained running ability. I can run a chicken down but doubt I could do same with the little chicken sized dino's.

 

[gryeyes]

What I find so funny is that my flock of velociraptors, err, chickens - even the big fluffy Orpingtons! - can be such individuals. Yes, they all do the same chickeny things, but each has his or her own personality. There's intelligence in those little feathery heads.

I just know I better not EVER fall and break a hip in my yard. I've already slipped and fallen face up once. My glasses slid cattywumpas on my face. I was slightly stunned for a second. Two chickens walked right up my body to stand on my chest and look into my face. "Berk?"

I believe they'd start by pecking a freckle and then it would turn into a frenzy.

I've been practicing rapid "get back up" maneuvers, just in case.

 

[movick]

Mini T-rex (Dong tao)
The Dong Tao is a self-sufficient active breed. Roosters are very temperamental and hens are excellent mothers.