- Apr 2, 2010
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We have a very lovely gentle flock (well...they are a little treat greedy but have a lab for a role model). Our most recent hatch (Australorps and EE AustralorpXAmericauna) is now 4 weeks old and we have what seemed to be one very outgoing little grey. When the chicks were about a week old I had them out for some exercise in the bunny run and this little one actually chased down our bunny and jumped on his back. At the time it was semi cute. When out in the garden he runs to the fencing if anyone approaches.... even leaving the other chicks across the garden. Seems very outgoing and friendly with people....does not peck. He is fine for us to handle him and is handled by kids and fine with that. He is the first to come and greet the humans.
Today I saw a different side when I had them in the coop while the big guys were in the run. He was really being nasty attacking....not just pecking but pinning to the ground and pulling out little fluffy baby feathers from the others....all others not just the boys (or our best guess of who are boys at this age)
The normal development of pecking order is one thing but what I saw todayis pretty excessive for what I have experienced with any of my other chicks. After what I saw today I am concerned that this outgoing nature may just be aggression.?? We use strategies with our other roos that we have learned on BYC (i.e. no mating behaviour in front of us, making sure hens and pullets get treats first, breaking up the "baby cock fights") to hopefully have a gentle flock.
We won`t tolerate an aggressive roo and our extra boys all get to go to freezer camp when they are old enough as would nasties if we have them.
I want to be as proactive as possible with this little one as he is certainly different then our experience so far.
DH thinks he is a sociopath
Any tips, stories or suggestions would be appreciated.
We have an 18 month old granddaughter and children of friends who love our chickens so we are very guarded with keeping our flock gentle.
Today I saw a different side when I had them in the coop while the big guys were in the run. He was really being nasty attacking....not just pecking but pinning to the ground and pulling out little fluffy baby feathers from the others....all others not just the boys (or our best guess of who are boys at this age)
The normal development of pecking order is one thing but what I saw todayis pretty excessive for what I have experienced with any of my other chicks. After what I saw today I am concerned that this outgoing nature may just be aggression.?? We use strategies with our other roos that we have learned on BYC (i.e. no mating behaviour in front of us, making sure hens and pullets get treats first, breaking up the "baby cock fights") to hopefully have a gentle flock.
We won`t tolerate an aggressive roo and our extra boys all get to go to freezer camp when they are old enough as would nasties if we have them.
I want to be as proactive as possible with this little one as he is certainly different then our experience so far.
DH thinks he is a sociopath

Any tips, stories or suggestions would be appreciated.
We have an 18 month old granddaughter and children of friends who love our chickens so we are very guarded with keeping our flock gentle.
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