Is this normal behavior??!!

[MamaPoult]

Hello byc friends! So I bought thirty 1 month old chicks about a month ago now and I have some behavioral concerns. When they were delivered to me (My Dad picked them up) they had the most severe case of coccidiosis I've ever seen, they were clearly malnourished, dirty and scared to absolute death of human contact. I have fixed the coccidiosis and fattened them up. They are still very scared of humans but the fear has now turned to aggression. I had one roo attack me today and draw blood. I've never had chicks so aggressive and I am worried about them growing up to be big and still having these issues. Are chickens like dogs where they remember what has happened to them and hold grudges???

 

[Earthdale]

In my experience it can go either way. I've had incredibly mean and skittish chickens that with enough love and time have become some of my gentlest birds. I've also had batches that have been super mean and aggressive and despite my best efforts have remained that way. Unfortunately I was unable to keep those as they got quite large and began attacking children. So, try your best. But consider all possibilities.
Ps. Breed can also affect it quite a bit.

 

[MamaPoult]

In my experience it can go either way. I've had incredibly mean and skittish chickens that with enough love and time have become some of my gentlest birds. I've also had batches that have been super mean and aggressive and despite my best efforts have remained that way. Unfortunately I was unable to keep those as they got quite large and began attacking children. So, try your best. But consider all possibilities.
Ps. Breed can also affect it quite a bit.

Interesting! Ok thank you! I have narrowed my breeds down. I think I have black jersey giants, Australorps and possibly Lavender Orpingtons!?? I was hoping to keep a rooster from this batch but am having second thoughts

 

[Earthdale]

Out of those breeds I've only kept Australorps (And a different variety of Orpingtons), But they are reportedly fairly friendly breeds. If they're only two months now, I would personally keep trying with them for a bit. But if they don't calm down I'd hesitate to keep any rooster from that batch. It might be better to source a friendlier rooster from elsewhere. That said, I tend to have high standards for the personality of my chickens, especially roosters. And will not keep any rooster who gives me any sort of trouble. Depending on your situation it may not matter quite as much.

 

[Altairsky]

Aggression is often a genetic issue. I would not keep any rooster from this batch and I would absolutely never buy from that seller again.

 

[MamaPoult]

Out of those breeds I've only kept Australorps (And a different variety of Orpingtons), But they are reportedly fairly friendly breeds. If they're only two months now, I would personally keep trying with them for a bit. But if they don't calm down I'd hesitate to keep any rooster from that batch. It might be better to source a friendlier rooster from elsewhere. That said, I tend to have high standards for the personality of my chickens, especially roosters. And will not keep any rooster who gives me any sort of trouble. Depending on your situation it may not matter quite as much.

Oh ok! Thank you this had been very helpful. I am needing a good sweet and protective roo for my girls so my standards are set pretty high.

 

[MamaPoult]

Aggression is often a genetic issue. I would not keep any rooster from this batch and I would absolutely never buy from that seller again.

Interesting! No I do not plan to! The guys operation was a complete circus and his birds are not well taken care of but it was too late to back out once we realized what a joke it was.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

remember what has happened to them and hold grudges???

I don't believe they hold grudges in that sense exactly. But any animal that has been treated badly is very likely to be traumatized and even terrorized. They may well then generalize that all humans are monsters to be feared. It's no different from a person who was once savaged by a dog then carrying a lifelong fear of dogs. They're not holding a grudge, they just can't get past the fear. This sounds like what your chickens are experiencing. Can they get over it? Possibly. But it's going to take a lot of patience and gentle handling, with no guarantees.

 

[MamaPoult]

I don't believe they hold grudges in that sense exactly. But any animal that has been treated badly is very likely to be traumatized and even terrorized. They may well then generalize that all humans are monsters to be feared. It's no different from a person who was once savaged by a dog then carrying a lifelong fear of dogs. They're not holding a grudge, they just can't get past the fear. This sounds like what your chickens are experiencing. Can they get over it? Possibly. But it's going to take a lot of patience and gentle handling, with no guarantees.

That makes a lot of sense! I am just so devastated for them and can't get around the "They're just stupid chickens," mentality. Poor poor birds. Thank you for your insight!

 

[MamaPoult]

That makes a lot of sense! I am just so devastated for them and can't get around the "They're just stupid chickens," mentality. Poor poor birds. Thank you for your insight!

Oh and you put that really well just wanted to say!