Fayoumis

[Leo1]

I don’t know... chickens are capable of learning behaviors, remembering things and people, but they also have traits that are genetic as far as what we think of as behaviors too. Birds I have raised together will respond differently to the same stimulus... for instance when we were tearing down an old coop the dark hen in the profile picture realized it and freaked, she started launching flying swoop attacks her buddy the light hen also in the picture just ran around in circles squawking. Same stimulus, same realization humans messing with their home, different responses... when startled as chicks they also reacted differently... one would jump up and spin, the other would duck down and run. These behaviors are genetic. So in chickens you have nature and nurture at work together, but nature often dominates. I sort of think they will be skittish no matter what.

I will be getting a few of this breed this summer so it will be interesting to see how they are compared to other breeds we have kept.

I'm pretty positive that there are aspects of nature that are 100% unchangeable. That said, I've seen chickens change aspects of their personalities due to life events. Most of us, also, know that the amount of time, and type of time, spent with chicks has an enormous impact of how they relate to us as adults. Most roosters can be mellowed with the right kind of nurture. Some are intractable, though. I'm thinking I'll try it with a super friendly and mellow mama, hang out with them a ton and see what happens. I've heard people say they have friendlier fayoumis. If it doesn't work, it's fine with me. They will be who they chose to be Hell, I've got a chicken that chases a 12 lb cat and jumps at song birds like she's a raptor and a cat that's afraid of the chickens, so....

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

It won’t hurt to try. I would suggest slow movements with them, lots of treats, a mama who loves you or is a treat nut so comes running knowing you gots the goodies, do not hover over them... I suspect they will instinctively as chicks think they are being attacked and freak... my EE chicks are that way. Good luck and keep us updated on the behavior modification/taming... I am excited about adding this breed to my flock.

 

[Folly's place]

One year our suprise chick from MMcM was a Fayoumi cockerel, and he was adorable! Definitely not in-your-face friendly, but a very interesting individual. He started crowing at 28 days of age, with his little hackle feathers still stubs on his neck. Beyond cute!
He didn't fit into my breeding plans that year, and rehomed him. The new people also liked him, but unfortunately a predator got him later that year.
I'm interested in hearing how this works out for both of you.
Mary

 

[Leo1]

It won’t hurt to try. I would suggest slow movements with them, lots of treats, a mama who loves you or is a treat nut so comes running knowing you gots the goodies, do not hover over them... I suspect they will instinctively as chicks think they are being attacked and freak... my EE chicks are that way. Good luck and keep us updated on the behavior modification/taming... I am excited about adding this breed to my flock.

I'm not short on hens that love me; I've got a gaggle of lap birds and one that likes to sit on my head. Just need to have one of them go broody. I'm excited for them too.

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Awesome on the mama choices.