Do you like some better than others?

[newchknmama]

I have 5 chicks, all were supposed to be pullets but at 4 weeks we think 2 are roos. I wanted 5 chickens in all since i live in a neighborhood and can't have a whole lot.. so my question is.. I have a home lined up if the 2 end up being roos. BUT if one of them isn't I still want to rehome her/him. I don't really like that chicken. It has never been very social, doesn't like to be held, always the most reserved and when it is held it is unmanagable. So is it horrible to want to get rid of one just because you don't like it? I mean I have to get rid of the roosters but wouldnt have to if he is a she. But truth is I just don't like it very much.

 

[TinkleTurkey]

I had a silkie roo once that I just couldn't stand. I think something was wrong with his brain. Most chickens arent necessarily friendly, but this guy was downright RUDE. (lol)
Weird because silkies are usually docile.

When I found him a new home I laughed "HAHA! I am getting rid of you!"

Usually I try not to make it personal with the chickens, but this one was downright evil.

 

[Nicole01]

You might change your mind after a while. Just give her a little more attention then the others. I have a RIR who is sometimes aggressive with the others. She defiantly is flighty and hates to be picked up. I've cuddled and snuggled with her, sometimes for an hour and she is really starting to enjoy being in my arms. Right now she is sleeping and stretch her neck and relaxed her wings as I'm holding her. However, if she were really mean and pull feathers out of the others, I would not keep her. I'd rehome her. My RIR will defiantly not be used for show.

 

[kizanne]

I got my first 8 from the flea market and the last one I got because she was so small even with similar feathering, so I called her runt. She is now my favorite. I'm still working on taming them. When I open the brooder she comes running, jumps on top the waterer so I can reach her and then looks at me with her quizical little head cocked to the side. "Mama what treats did you bring me today?" I just hope she stays a she LOL>

I don't think it is bad to get rid of one you don't like. They are chickens. I love them but they are food. Until I become a vegetarian, I have to remind myself that I manage them for my purposes. Humanly, kindly but as food.

 

[chickbea]

I guess it depends on what role you want your chickens to fill. If you only want pets, then keeping the friendly ones seems sensible. If you are looking for good egg producers, your less friendly one may just turn out to be the best layer, so you may want to hang onto her (if she isn't a roo).
Also remember that you have a very small flock, and she may be filling a role within that flock that you want to keep (she may be the dominant one, and thus the peacekeeper).

 

[kimntep]

Absolutely! The ones who act like I just do nothing for them, I don't give as much attention anymore. I still talk to them, but they don't get held and petted like others. Of my babies, I am trying really hard to bond better with them so that I have more friends! You'll always have a few that just keep to themselves or like to cause trouble and it doesn't make me feel bad to shun them a bit!

 

[newchknmama]

Quote:
This is a good point. I know for a fact he/she is not the dominant one. I have already picked that one out of the group. She/he is just so different from the others. Its the only one that has pecked me too. I feel horrible for even having those thoughts. It was supposed to be my easter egger and I am a little upset at the possibility of it being a roo since it was the only "colored" egg layer I picked. I don't have any plans of letting her/him go yet until I am 100% sure of what it is. I just wanted to get some little ones to replace it now and am having to do a little justification to my husband..

you know chicken math. He said 3, i said 4, got 5, 2 might be roos, replace with three more = 6.. its adding up a little quickly.

 

[GiddyMoon]

We really only want 5-1- chickens and I broke down and ordered 25...I told the guys..well, within a few weeks I am sure everyone will find out who they like the best..and yes, we will sell the rest!

 

[Pharm Girl]

I think when you have several chickens, their different personalities may still work together to create a cohesive flock. I have a SLW that wants nothing to do with humans, but gets along nicely with the others and so she stays. She is a consistent egg layer and I very much enjoy her beauty from afar (when she's not moulting!). I can pet and hold my orphington, black australorp, and Americauna so I just leave the aloof one alone. If the flock dynamic is good and she's not a bully, I'd keep her, but that's just me. Anyway, sometimes it's funny to have a frumpy one to give you the good stink-eye shots.

See what I mean.....

In a bad moult and a foul mood!!! She's come unlaced!

 

[Imp]

The last time I had chicks(3) the BA was mean, all the time. Everytime I opened the brooder she attacked me. Got to the point that I was a little afraid of a chick. She'd bite and hang on like a parrot.

She grew up to be a very mellow adult.

Imp