How to train a chicken to be "wild"

[Mazza1]

I live in the Caribbean where chickens run wild. The only land based predators are dogs and cats so chickens roost in trees all the time and seem to do fine. I found an orphan chick a few months back and have raised it up, not with the intent of keeping it (because I live in a condo and don't have a backyard to keep chickens), but with the intent of raising it to join the rest of the wild chickens. I took it outside daily when little and eventually moved it outside in a large dog crate where it sleeps at night but freely forages thoughout the day. It's now about 2.5 months old and clearly a rooster. Now it looks like I won't be staying on the island for much longer so my time with him has suddenly been limited. At this point, I've been reducing the amount of feed I give and he forages around the area most of the day but still comes back at night. I've tried the last few days (now that the clock is ticking) to introduce him to the idea of roosting in a tree. He won't have it and goes running back to the dog crate. I finally managed to get him to use a high perch I made for him outside of the crate for tonight. But given we may be leaving in about 6 weeks, I'm quite concerned about his future. He seems to find enough to eat, but I worry he's become too reliant on me for water. So I'll work on that. But the roosting is the problem. I don't want him bothering the next folks who rent out unit at night (especially once he starts crowing). Anybody out there experience feralizing a non-feral chicken?

 

[centrarchid]

Could you upload a picture of him?

 

[Mazza1]

Sure. This is the best one I could find that was recent. Here he shows just how "wild' he is since he likes to sit on our shoulders. We hand raised him so he's very attached (which is now a problem). Hopefully you can confirm his rooster-ness. If it's too blurry, I can try to take a better one tomorrow.

 

[centrarchid]

What do the adults around you look like?

 

[Mazza1]

Here are a few links to pics people have posted of wild chickens on the island https://belindanorth.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_0211.jpg and http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/39838418.jpg and http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/hauntedheadnc/Cayman Islands/CaymanIslands19.jpg Let me know if that helps.

 

[Mazza1]

I tried to post links but that may take a while. Here is a shot of chickens by the airport. Let me know if that helps or if you need more.

 

[centrarchid]

My guess on very limited information is the birds are a composite of games and other breeds with considerable selection for a feral social structure. Your bird is approaching the point where it would naturally disperse away from the natal territory which is likely promoted by the resident male. All the younger birds so evicted (male and female) then spend some time floating about. Pullets eventually will link up with a rooster and roosters will vie for territory. If like other islands populations the roosters are likely to push 18 months before being able to secure their own territory. I think you bird will be ready for independent living once he starts to roost up. Mine do seem to benefit from siblings but my guess is the island broods do not involve large numbers of siblings.


Get him to roost up on something. Feed him away from house for a bit putting feed out when he is on the roost. Then start reducing the amount of feed and he we quickly respond by expanding the area he forages.

 

[Mazza1]

Thanks for some good suggestions. I'll work on moving the limited food I'm offering away from the porch (to discourage him to hang around the porch so much). I have no idea where the island chickens get their water. Fortunately, this area has sprinkler systems so if he stays around here, he should always be able to get some. But I'll try to be cutting back on that somewhat as well to encourage him to find other sources. The roosting I'll have to work on. I was glad he accepted a high roost that I made on our porch. But obviously, if we move, that can't remain and would be unpopular for the new tenants. I'll work on moving his food more and more towards an ideal roosting tree and then place him up there throughout the day as much as I can.

As for the island broods, I've seen hens with 10+ chicks following her around. But the island is a tough place for a chicken. Cats and dogs lower those populations quick, as do cars hitting either the hens or the chicks. But more than enough survive. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[centrarchid]

When they are consuming natural foods they can go many days at least without drinking water. They scavenge water from metabolism and what the food already has in it. Greens and animals are 2/3's moisture easily. Birds in general are also very good at removing water from outgoing feces and uric acid. They are also very adept at taking advantage of dew.

 

[Mazza1]

Thought I would post a brief update. Based on some suggestions, I moved the food. The first day, it was just off the porch near some shrubbery. But since I can't put stuff out in the public area for too long without landscapers finding it, that wasn't a permanent solution. I ended up moving the food dish he was used to to a nearby tree (hanging in the tree) that would be a good roosting tree. I hand carried him into the tree until he saw the dish and he went nuts, since he's hungry now that the gravy train is winding down. I left him in the tree while he ate and went back to my unit. About an hour later, I went back to add a bit more food and found him in the tree looking for his food. So that was amazingly successful and he learned quick. After a few days of that, I tried to hang around the tree at dusk, hoping he'd realize that the tree is a great place to be. No such luck. He flew into the tree a few times hoping the food fairy had visited but then after a bit, he left. I waited around and then went back to my porch to find him perched on the new high perch that I built for him. That's good since he's now OK not being cooped up in a cage. But the perch is a temporary fix and certainly can't be his forever. So my plan is to continue hanging around the tree at night to make him shift to THAT kind of being his home base. A dog on a leash came by while we were at the tree last night and he clucked his concern but was in the tree at the time which was good. Hopefully he makes that connection. After a few more days, I will be removing the crate from the porch completely. It's closed and he can't go in there anymore anyhow. Then I'll work on covering up the perch so that he can't use it and he'll hopefully be forced to find an alternative. But if he freaks out too much, I'll still have it available. I realize this issue isn't the norm, but I thought I'd put my experiences out there JUST IN CASE. Any suggestions/thoughts etc are greatly appreciated!