"Friendly and Docile"

[Blackavar]

"Barred Rocks are famous for their calm, friendly nature. They’re curious, sociable, and a great fit for families with children or anyone who enjoys interacting with their flock. These birds will happily follow you around the yard, waiting for a cuddle or a tasty snack!"

My PBR Ellie,didn't get the memo. She's my most active bird, always on the move. She hates being held, despite being the cuddliest chick/pullet. She's a fast learner, and is always trying to find new ways to get herself stuck, or in trouble. If there's somewhere she's not supposed to go, she'll make sure to add it to her bucket list.

She's also a bully. She was on the bottom for a bit, but after a day of scuffling with my bantam, she's now above my little Nettle. Nettie is the oldest hen, and now she's hanging out on the fringes with the new pullets. Break's my heart. Ellie's not hurting them, but she's a bit to adamant about her status.
And I'm convinced Ellie can see into the fey realm. She's constantly chasing fairies all over the yard

Oh, and I have a hen who alternates between laying for a week, then crowing and mounting other hens the following week.

 

[Debbie292d]

Awe, she's beautiful! Sounds like you have a very unpredictable little flock of ladies there!

 

[Blackavar]

Awe, she's beautiful! Sounds like you have a very unpredictable little flock of ladies there!

Thank you. I'm pretty sure my Australorp is the only one who did her homework after she hatched.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I could have written this almost word for word about my cochin bantams. A shark is more docile, and I also have an Ellie named Dandelion. She's the 2nd lowest bird and a pecking order lunatic.

Had a couple Australorps before this, and they were fantastic! Super friendly and easy to handle.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

The PBRs I have are quick to clock each other on the pecking order. They don't do anything concerning like picking feathers or drawing blood, much less do they actually peck with the intent to hurt. However, we started small and added chickens over time to our flock so it's mostly pullets of slightly varying ages. Integrating was generally hard. Any of my barred rock are ready to go about establishing themselves as the new head of the flock. Checks happen once every hour, top two barred rocks check everyone else and the other five will peck each other in a circle once or twice. I'm still scared of integrating the 8 week old (I was told purebred Ameraucana but I know little of how to tell the difference between an EE until they lay eggs) chicks as I haven't figured out a way to give them a safe space yet. However, yes they are cuddly, but not if I choose, they have to choose. While they are used to handling, they don't want to stay there if I put them there. I guess I wouldn't want to stay in their shoes either! Otherwise, get ready for chickens to create a snuggling circle around you

I think some of mine can see fairies too! They start ducking like they're about to lunge and then start zig-zagging through the yard. I get a kick out of them doing this since I've never seen anyone else's chickens act so crazy on their lonesome.

Lastly, my PBRs don't get the memo that my fingers aren't food! Curious bums think anything in my hands is edible...