Has anybody else noticed a change since laying?

[SoTXChickenFarmer13]

My australorp, Petunia, was a pretty mean bird, she would peck my hands when I tried reach for the water dish and she would pick the screen when I got too close to the coop. As a matter of factshe was so mean that if she didn't start laying soon, my wife suggested introducing Petunia to the frying pan...

She laid her first egg yesterday, and almost immediately she seems nicer. She even let me pet her. Has anyone else noticed that in their birds? Is it possible her hormones changed her disposition?

 

[sumi]

Maybe she had PMS?

 

[LunarRayne]

I know my chickens are not very people friendly. I handle them everyday, but they prefer to run the yard. I have BR that is 19 weeks old and I am not very patiently waiting her first egg. She loves me to pick her up all the sudden. I have noticed her inspecting the nest boxes more. The dominant rooster doesn't want to leave her side. She has completely changed in attitude. Way nicer, more calm... The opposite of your hen.

I think personality changes are normal. After all, my personality changed while I was pregnant...


Oh and congrats on the egg.. I hope Helen lays soon... My Aunt has some EE pullets her age and 1 has started to lay already...

 

[gryeyes]

Most of my hens had personality changes after they started laying. For the better - the flighty ones were less flighty, the bossy ones were less bossy, the scaredy-cats were more trusting, and some got downright chatty, wanting to walk with me and tell me ALL about the doings in the flock.

The already friendly and trusting pullets just got more so.

Very like people - chicks like kids underfoot, immature "tween" pullets being contrary or some quite clingy, those closer to laying suddenly self-absorbed and busy with checking out the nest boxes, and the layers much more relaxed and comfortable with themselves. Older hens bossy like grannies.

 

[LarryPQ]

Quote:
Yes. I tell everyone to expect a little more love from the ladies once they lay an egg.

Roos are usually more cuddly up until maturity, then they don't want anything to do with you. Pullets are freakshows until they have to squeeze something out of their neither-regions. Then they need comfort.

 

[sanyijr]

Quote:
I absolutely noticed a positive change. They HOVER around me and almost trap me. 10 birds so tight around my feet I almost step on them any time i move. Funny, they also almost enjoy me petting them as well. Before, they would be a bit skiddish. Much better!!!!

 

[breezychick]

My BA was never mean but also never let me near her. Now that she has started squatting, she loves for me to pet her.
She has become very friendly.

 

[dsqard]

All of my girls have become more friendly once they began to lay. None of them are lap chickens but they don't run away from me like I'm an axe murderer any more.

 

[crossgirl]

My big girls haven't changed their behavior towards me but I notice that FINALLY the 9 are acting like a flock. They're mingling together. I love it!

 

[Pele]

It's not just you. For reasons beyond my comprehension, pullets calm WAAAAY the heck down after laying. And it's not a smooth transition either, it's just bam! there.

I love it. I get to dust my girls without having to chase them. Well.... everyone except her royal primadonnaness EE.