I Am Disappointed in MY BUFF O!

[mgibbzzz]

I have 4 and my ladies don't care much for people! They are not at the bottom of the pecking order and will thump anyone that they think is in their way. I got them as day old chicks and have tried to hold them almost everyday, but they do not tolerate it. They are harder to catch now that they are allowed in the outside run and allowed to range. They are so pretty, but just don't like to be touched. They will eat out of our hands, but that is about it.


DMK Ranch

 

[mtnhomechick]

Quote:
Got her with the others at 3 days old. Held and raised them all the same. The others come running to me. Love to be held. I just observed my BO in a nesting box with 2 Cal. Whites........trying to peck their eyes out while all are laying eggs. I don't think it has anything to do with getting them young or how a person raises them. Ironically, one of my favs is a barred rock.

 

[ravenfeathers]

i have an adult BO who isn't exactly friendly, but not terribly wild, either. i didn't raise her, so i have no idea how much attention she got as a wee thing. she'll squat for us to pick her up and take her to the coop at night (our coop and her temporary run aren't attached) and she's learned that hands held flat frequently have tasty things in them, but she doesn't care to be petted or manhandled at all.

my three little ones, going on four weeks old, are similar. one in particular likes to be sat on your lap or arm, but she doesn't want to be picked up to get there. all three squawk and put up a fuss when they're picked up. none of them object to a little gentle stroking, though.

it can be so misleading to read about peoples' favourite breeds. after reading a few glowing recommendations (and having a soft spot for the colouration), i decided to include some barred rock chicks in my first order. right after that, i started reading all these horror stories about how crabby and skittish barred rocks are and i really started doubting my choice. three of my four barred rock chicks are awful pets, up in my grill every time i go to the brooder, riding around on our shoulders and climbing into our pockets. the fourth isn't as attention-seeking, but is very calm and friendly. meanwhile, my three partridge rocks are complete lunatics, wild as the ruffed grouse in the woods, and have lashed out at me with their wee beaks a couple of times for trying to pick them up. someone else will stand up and say that their partridges are the sweetest and calmest of their flock.

basic rule of thumb here is that chickens, like people, are individuals. clutch-mates may be similar in temperament due to shared genetics. that will be different from hatchery to hatchery or breeder to breeder. myself, i love all of mine in different ways. it's a question of finding your silver lining. those partridge rocks? they're very pretty and they're so undeniably chicken-y (the first to dig, scratch, and dust bathe of our flock) that they're a joy to watch going about their business. that's good enough for me.