Creeper Chicken

[XanderWiFi]

Vader. She is and has always been one of our most neurotic and high strung chickens. I have no idea what breed she is, but she looks like a black minorca with the white ears but are not floppy. A bit of a greenish hue to her back feathers. Very pretty overall, but she is the creeper bird.

Her behavior has baffled me for some time. Even as a chick she never liked to be handled much. She is probably last in line and least excited to see us when we come out with scraps, scratch and food. The rest run up to the door, do their squats, get their butt scratches and move onto their snacks. Not Vader. She hangs back. Unless you turn your back.

I can guarantee, that if I am bent over, squatting down or generally turn my back to her in any way she will sneak up on me. Random peck on the backside? Vader. Nibble at the pant leg? Vader. Instinctively, I always look behind me now and there she will be, and I give her a little shoo because she always seems to be the one nipping at the "flecks" that line my clothing (more than the other girls do).

I wonder if there is any explanation for this creeping behavior. Why so standoffish when I face her but always right at my rear if my back is turned. More concerning, the other day I was scratching butts and she turned and pecked one of the girls in the head. I scolded and told her to be nice and gave a small "shoo" with my hand towards her. Instead of running away, she actually flapped up and put feet forward almost like a joust.

It almost seems like what I imagine rooster behavior to be, the sneaking. The jousting was a one time thing. I believe she is laying eggs and even when she is running away she will do a "confused squat" where she stops for a butt scratch but then remembers she wants to run for her life. I never really see her bullying other hens no more than the rest bully one another.

Anyone have any insight as to what this creeper bird is doing?

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

It sounds like Vader doesn’t trust humans that’s all.

 

[Just Hatch duck]

Hi guys does anyone know anything about ducks because if so can you go to my most recent chain

 

[Patinas]

Sounds like a combination of distrust and attempt at dominance. I have two very skittish hens in my flock that make every attempt to stay at least 8-10 feet away from me but they don't try to attack me when my back is turned. I just leave them be with the hope that one day I will win them over. If they were sneaking up and trying to peck me, that would be a different story and I would be taking corrective measures to let them know they are not in charge.

Interestingly, the two most skittish are also low in the pecking order. Is yours low in the pecking order? Maybe being low ranking adds to their distrust?

 

[XanderWiFi]

Ever since I expanded the run it is pretty difficult to see who is low and who is high. They all kind of take turns bopping one another from time to time, but ultimately get along quite well. The only sign of tumult I have ever seen was actually today. It looked like one of my leghorns got her comb nibbled and had a couple drops of blood along her back. Now I will be watching more closely as bullying is not something I will tolerate.

Back on subject though: Vader or any of the others never "attack." When I come in they will all take turns "picking" at my clothes or shoes. I have read since they can see in UV vision, they are fascinated by the fuzzies on our clothes that we would see if we went into the blacklight section of a fun house. I do not interpret any animosity in the picking from Vader or the others. There has never been blood drawn, broken skin, bruises...I almost wonder what a true chicken bite looks like, do they actually try to clamp onto you or is it just a solid hard nip?

Anyhow, this thread is more one of humor than seriousness. Vader greets along with all the other girls but just does not like to be handled. The thing that is humorous to me is that while the other girls typically are around my front (because that is where the hands are. The hands hold the snacks. We's likes the snacks) I can always count on Vader to be creeping up behind me without fail to pick at the fuzzies. She is the stalking creeper chicken lol.

 

[Relleoms]

I wouldn’t worry, unless you turn around and she’s got a paring knife in her wing (and you hear slasher music playing)

 

[aart]

I almost wonder what a true chicken bite looks like, do they actually try to clamp onto you or is it just a solid hard nip?

It's a V shaped cut oozing blood...BTDT...
.... or 2 V's...like this, <>.
Sometimes they just peck real hard,
beak can be open or closed or open then closed,
can be a one shot deal or semi to full automatic.
Sometimes they just grab on hard, and twist.
Sometimes it's appropriate to peck them back.

I won't speculate as to why the creeper is creeping,
but I really enjoyed reading what, and how, you wrote about her.
Best of cLuck!

 

[XanderWiFi]

Here she is on the left. If anyone could tell me what breed she is that would be awesome. I've been curious since we got her.

 

[XanderWiFi]

Glad you guys enjoyed it. I did a lot of work in/on the run today. She was up in my business as much as the others. Where they will usually squat for a scratch she continues to do the funny squat run where she cannot decide whether to run for her life or enjoy a scratch on the back.

 

[aart]

Here she is on the left. If anyone could tell me what breed she is that would be awesome. I've been curious since we got her.
View attachment 1252771 View attachment 1252771

Need a side view that shows her whole body and legs.