my son is "THE PEST"

[sumi]

My son used to chase the hens around too, but he (thankfully) stopped. One day he managed to scare the living daylights out of a hen and this is what her next egg looked like:




As you can see here a little "harmless fun" with the chickens can have a bad effect on them and their egg laying. Stress is not good for them!

 

[foghorn86]

There are lots of things that a child thinks is fun and exciting that a parent must teach them that they can not do. It's a parent's job to provide structure and to teach a child how to survive in this world. Providing fun for a child is peripheral and occasional and it is not the parent's primary job. Children (and dogs) must be trained how to behave around animals and how to treat them with respect and kindness.

Think about it: what benefit will your child get in life by learning to torment and disrespect animals? 4 years is plenty old enough to learn lessons about proper care and most children love doing farm chores side by side with a parent. It provides a good opportunity to both chat and to set a good example for the child. It can be the start of instilling a work ethic. Turn it into a great opportunity to teach valuable life lessons.

Wow, if i wanted a lecture i would have asked my mom!
I got the answer i needed in Post #2.
Thanks for your unnessesary babble though.

 

[foghorn86]

@Sumi:
That is aweful.
I was right; it was a passing fancy. he has already lost interest in chasing them, and now just wants to feed them, collect eggs, and give them treats.

 

[sumi]

That's good. Mine got a fright when I showed him the egg and told him what happened and why it happened (and what's going to happen to him next time LOL) He now loves playing with the hens and carrying them around and feeding them nice things. I'm amazed how tame they are with him. I can't get near some of them, but he carries them around and they squat for him.

 

[foghorn86]

have you had these chickens since they were chicks?
My chickens are still very scared of any humans, even after giving them treats.
But then again i have only had them 3 weeks and they were already grown when i got them.

 

[sumi]

These girls I have now I bought about 3 weeks ago. They are all grown up and just started laying now. They are so chilled with him! I don't know how he does it. One or 2 of them will squat for me, but other than that, no no. I'm usually the one giving food and treats, but they love him. Maybe it's because he's small?

 

[DaphneNL]

It takes some time, and it really depends on the breed and history of the chickens. I own 4 full sisters, all Lakenvelder chickens, and 2 of them are pretty social, one of them is really shy and one of them is very curious and outgoing. But if one chicken starts to trust humans, you will see the rest will also become more curious.

 

[patty12]

no children should be alowed to case chickens or use them to play with. a chicken has a right to some piece and quite, don't you think?. i do suppose the the chickens would lay eggs less if they are constantly under attict from bratty chirden. Tell your chrilden no and go from there..

 

[foghorn86]

no children should be alowed to case chickens or use them to play with. a chicken has a right to some piece and quite, don't you think?. i do suppose the the chickens would lay eggs less if they are constantly under attict from bratty chirden. Tell your chrilden no and go from there..

You are 100% correct! I believe no "chrilden" should be allowed to "case" the chickens. After all, chickens work all day and have so many responsibilities, the last thing they need is some "bratty chirden" constantly "atticting" them.

Come on, People!
I already said the problem is solved!

 

[DaphneNL]

It is possible that English isn't her first language. My English isn't that good either, because I'm Dutch you know. No need to get unfriendly. Ask a moderator to close this thread if you don't want any replies anymore.