Funny things I've noticed...

[KYChixMama]

It's interesting how different the personalities are in my chickens. What have you noticed about your birds? For example...

Delaware hens: first to let my wiener dogs know their nosiness is not welcome. Somewhat flighty, they tolerate me but barely.

Light Brahma hens: just plain happy with life. They are affectionate and prefer to stick together within the group when ranging. Life is good, their roo is handsome, and I'm always welcome for a quick cuddle.

Light Brahma rooster: docile, loves the ladies, takes his job very seriously. Enjoys a cuddle from time to time, but not when anyone is watching (apparently he has a reputation to uphold)

Easter Egger hens: flighty but gorgeous. Sneaky about where they lay their eggs, and consider it their personal challenge to keep me on my egg-hunting skills. Tolerate me from a distance, not interested in getting buddy-buddy. And they love cat food. Go figure.

Leghorn hen: Goes with the flow, life is good and she's got no worries.

Silkie roosters: I call them the drama kings. They stick in a group, puffed with self importance and convinced of their manliness. They consider it their job to keep abreast of any situations that develop, and will brave any danger as long as they're in no immediate danger and ladies are watching.

Silkie hens: consider the Silkie roo's ridiculous, not interested in the drama or latest gossip, look forward to my coming with eagerness and genuine joy.

Buff Orpington hens: I exist to keep them in the lap of luxury, and find my intrusion when they're otherwise engaged to be unwelcome. My scattering of scratch is their due, and I best give them treats then leave.

Of course I could go into far more detail on individual birds, but this is what I've noticed from my groups.

 

[Chick Charm]

That was articulated well. And that is raising chickens. Funny as well.

 

[KYChixMama]

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Thank you.

 

[whiteflare]

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That's so cute! Yes, they're just like people when you think about it, their personalities change a lot as they grow, some get moody, some more cheerful.

No. 1: She's evil, and a bully, but with a really soft heart when she's satisfied she's stolen enough of everyone else's food. She's quite docile with me.

No. 2: She whines all the time. No matter if she's being ignored, pecked, if she's hungry, bored etc. you can hear her whiny clucks floating all over the neighbourhood.

No. 3: A little fireball, she'll always challenge the older ones' authority, even if she ends up getting pecked. She attacks peoples' feet, for some bizarre reason.

No. 4: Nice little hen who blends into the background, follows the rules, and generally stays in everyones' good books.

 

[KYChixMama]

Speaking of Silkies. I've also noticed that they are not happy when the only one of their breed when with other chickens. Even new Silkies will be loners for a few days and then begin gradually integrating with the Silkie group. I have 3 groups that range together (1) Silkies (2) Buff Orpingtons and Easter Eggers and (3) Brahma's, Delawares, and the Leghorn. The Brahma roo moves back and forth between groups (2) and (3) all day. Has no interest in the Silkie hens, and the Silkie roo's have no interest in the "full size" ladies.

 

[chirpingcricket]

So true, sooooo true. Just love it!!! Great perspective everyone, ha ha

 

[annie3001]

interesting questions and oh yeah all my chickens have different personalities!

campine: docile and a bit timid. but overall very friendly, hen

plymouth rock: favorite girl, very very sweet. would make a great momma bird

white leghorn: kinda a meany girl. loves worms. she is a great layer but a bit bossy to the others.

white cochin: very very sweet girl. the most gentile of my chickens. walks like a little lady too! (smile)

welsummer: shes a bit bossy too. makes a ton of noise. always wants to know whats going on.

rooster: i believe hes a barlander (or something like that) hes a riot. kinda a nutcase lately

rhode island reds: i have 3 of them, they are all good layers and extremly friendly!

unknown breed: pretty little lady, mmm shes also a talker. ha

ducklings: we have 2 welsh harlequins and 1 unknown and 1 black swedish, all seem to have friendly personalitys and very soft to the touch (love them)

amazingly i never would have thought about the personalites they all have... they are all so different!!!
i love having mixed breeds!

 

[MareeZoCool]

from Ohio Your post was fun to read. Thanks for sharing your notes on the different breeds personalities.

 

[greenSearcher]

Personalities seem to flow along breed lines,

1.Punkit's Harem: a Speckled Sussex Curious, self confident and comfortable as loners. Goldie is head hen , and is the only girl with intact back feathers. She keeps Thighs and Drumsticks in their place, anywhere away from her and finds all her own treats. Easter egger's, sneaky escape artists or high wire walkers and drama queens. Other girls just follow Punkit.

2. Oakley's Harem: Delawares and Naked Necks. Delawares will eat anything that might be edible, including the cherry of DH cigarette. (Chicken yards are now smoke free). Extremely curious, "can I eat it?" and love exploring "more food!" Agent Orange is the head hen, she has to be everywhere - know everything. Oakley shares his girls with Dover providing he only treads the Dellies. The Annies are all sweeties, gentle and friendly, but don't over do the mushy stuff and scream for Oakley when Dover romances. I think he forgets to grab the cap feathers and gets the neck skin.

3. Red Fred's Harem: He has Speckled Sussex (all are named Golda) to remind him he's not as big as he thinks, and will all treat him like he they are head hen. Must be the Speckled Sussex just don't care for that treading stuff, it messes up their spangles. The Lois 's are Blue Andalusian and run in the morning rooster races with the silkie roos, and thus they stay sleek and lovely. Lois Splash administers the reprimanding hard peck to the three KikoMan, who all think they are the baddest roo in the group, but walk a wide berth around Red Fred (Easter Egger). They forget any air of dignity when they spy a squatting Golda and sprint towards the waiting lady. Be interesting to see what I get later this year once I have a 'bator, I should have good broody material.

4. Babies in the garage. Looks like it will be Scout, a brown leghorn roo and his 8 girls - 2 Brownies (Brown Leghorns), 3 Rhodies (Red Production) and 3 Blondies (Tetratint). I finally gave up hoping for all girls when the red started coming in on Scout's back. They are all babies, blank slates to be written on.

We joke that the chickens are our mental health program, but it works.

 

[JLT9807]

I love my chicken's personalities.

RIR's (2): One is overly-friendly, she is also highest in the pecking order. She doesn't boss anyone around - you can tell it's just accepted that she is the boss, no questions asked. The other is probably one of the lower ones in the order - she is very skiddish and will not come near us. She is the only one who will not take food out of our hands at treat time.

Buff Orp: She is curious. I have to bribe her with treats, otherwise she sneaks out the hatch door when I check eggs in the morning. She is also the reason I no longer let my girls out for all day play. They only get out for a few hours in the afternoon. She has no problem laying her eggs wherever she feels necessary. The dog has found a few that are old so we have to get that under control. She occasionally tolerates a petting or two.

Plymouth Barred Rock: She is a pretty sweet girl. She was having some problems with egglaying a few weeks ago, so she was held a lot by my husband and I as we were checking her out constantly. She was very cooperative and seemed to know we were trying to help her.

Easter Egger: Nosey, nosey, nosey. She loves treats, and I mean LOVES them. She will beg and beg until she gets her way. She is pretty flighty though.