Lazy Chickens?

[Airamith]

Does any else have any "lazy" chickens? Growing up, eggs were always laid earlier in the day. My girls however, they would attack the rooster if he crowed too much too early because they want to sleep in. They also don't lay their eggs until much later in the day than I seem to remember. Oo; Rather than collecting eggs before I go to work, I collect them when I get home because they don't lay until late morning or early afternoon. Just today I had to wait while one last girl was in there taking her time, until after 12:30! Everyone left the coop at around 8 to eat breakfast and forage, and then around 10 they piled back in and started singing.

Is this normal? Also, is it normal for a hen to rule over a rooster? I've never seen that. He attacked me for the first time, very mildly mine you. I wasn't hurt at all, just surprised. Before I could react though, Speck, my oldest hen, attacked him! She jumped on him and was pecking him in the head and scratching his back up! She tore out quite a few feathers before she was done. It happened very fast, and she didn't stay at it. But I was still shocked. Now she watches him like a hawk whenever I'm around, and if he even looks at me funny she'll stretch her neck out and ruffle all her feathers at him. He backs down really fast and doesn't bother me. The other hens don't pay any attention,and when I'm "not around" i.e. spying on them from where they can't see, everyone acts pretty normal.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Most of my hens don't lay first thing in the morning. A few of mine lay in the afternoon sometimes. It can range over 4 hours.

That's funny about your hen and rooster. I think it is more common if the rooster is younger than the hens or a submissive rooster who was added to an established flock of hens. One time an older hen who was added to the coop gave a kick to the rooster when he mated with on e of the hens that protested. But that is about the only time I have seen such behavior.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

12:30 is not really what I would consider "late" -- what you have described is all pretty normal

 

[krista74]

Some of my girls lay late in the afternoon - even up to 4.30pm! I don't think they have much of a choice when it comes to when to lay their eggs. It's more a case of "If you've gotta go, you've gotta go!"

Be very careful with that rooster of yours though. It's not a good sign that he has attacked you in any form - mild or not.

You need to exert your dominance and let him know who's boss - and it's NOT him!

I'm sure there are plenty of threads on these boards on how to address aggressive behaviour in roosters. It's very important to nip that sort of behaviour right in the bud. He might not have hurt you, but he could hurt a little child if they got caught up with him.

I'm glad to hear that your head girl is sticking up for you though. How sweet!

- Krista

 

[Airamith]

Oh trust me, I did not take his actions lightly. All of my animals know who is boss, and it is always me. Even my cats know the rules, and EVERYONE knows the phrase "excuuuse me?!" is a sign of danger, lol.

Perhaps I remember eggs being ready in the morning simply because that's when they were collected. If it's normal then good.