New Chicken Owner behavior Question

[eponagirl]

I have 4 older chicks (9-14 weeks old) that I got about 3 weeks ago. They were kept in my house in a large brooder next to my young chicks brooder (had those since day old). The other day I moved everyone out to the new coop (young chicks in 2 large attached dog crates separated from older chicks). I haven't interacted as much physically with the older chicks as the younger ones (who sit on my hands, etc...but they are still small). Well, today I was checking on the young chicks with a crate door open and my body blocking the entrance. The most dominant (they are all friendly) older chick was behind me..she follows me around when I visit in the coop. While I was talking to a little chick, I suddenly heard whoosh and felt a chicken on my shoulder!! The bigger chick sat there for a minute or two and then hopped onto the crate door before I then put her down on the floor again.

My question...is this friendly cute chicken behavior? (like..."hey, pay attention to ME! or "I want to SEE those chicks") I wonder if this chick wants to be friendly or dominate me (it is the oldest chick and the leader of the 4 older ones). Since I didn't raise them from the start, I am just wondering if they are bonding with me and want attention or if it is some other chicken behavior that I am mis reading.

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

It is comfortable with you. It is also confident with it's self.

It is a friendly, curious reation from a chick this age. If you give them a little treat, such as a tiny piece of bread, it will ALMOST roll over and play dead for you....hahaha.

These quickly become my favorites!

 

[eponagirl]

Ya know...when they were in the brooder, I did try hand feeding and that was the one that figured out quickly that not only did I not bite, I dispensed treats! That's probably why it follows me around...it seems very intelligent and aware for a chicken..always giving me the once over! I just want to build on a good thing, but not encourage anything that might not be good. I don't hand feed them other than that once...they bit my hand trying to grab any food.

I LOVE learning about their quirky behavior and want to learn more about their actions and meanings.

 

[Zuesdude]

I think for an older chicken you are just someone that may have food and the older the bird the more you have to watch yourself when going inside their area.

I have been testing my young ladys and find it funny that they like a night light in their coop and will stand or sleep next to it or that they sake their heads when you kuooo or make a sound like a bird.

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

You refered to the chick as a she, do you know for certain that it is a little pullet??

I will not allow a young cockeral to exhibit this much comfort in my presents. I like my little guys to stay away from me, to feel that I am the leader, don't mess with the big crazy woman. I still give them treats, but don't jump on Momma's shoulders!! Depending on the breed, the little cockerals get crazy enough at about 4 months old.

But I loveee this behavior in my little pullets.

 

[SushiLove]

Chickens on shoulders puts them right at eye pecking level.
Other than that it's a great handsfree way to bond with your gals while doing your chicken chores.
I wouldn't let a roo up on a shoulder but a roo chillin' on your forearm looks really cool!

 

[Judy]

I've read here that a roo on the shoulder or, worse, on the head, is demonstrating his dominance over you, so I agree, not what you want.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Misreading, I'd say, or perhaps more like reading into it. You WANT them to bond with you and love you and treat you like you treat them. So you read their natural urges as friendly bonding.

I suspect its more that they are not threatened by you and so don't feel compelled to run shrieking at your presence. They always try to go to the highest point and will fly up on anything in view. This most likely includes you, especially if you have food in your hand. .. or they think you do.
Ive never been big on chicken psychology, as I dont reckon there is any. People have "psyches," not chickens. Its more a matter of flock dynamic, and that fits with the whole dominance scenario. I recommend you get a dog if you want true bonding and resist the urge to "pet-i-fy" chickens, or try to read too much into them.
Just let 'em be what they are - chickens

And I wouldn't relish them on me, personally.
They will as happily crap on you as on the floor... some "bonding," eh? That being the case, I'd just as soon they stay down there on the floor, where they belong.

But that's just m.e

 

[eponagirl]

Well, I can respect that some people don't think animals have a "psyche" (I don't quite agree, but that could lead to a whole debate I'm sure) and the reason I was asking the question was so that I DON'T misread the situation. I am not looking for a "bonding" experience from a chicken like one would want/expect from a dog (I already have that with my dogs and beyond that a human person to bond with even more so) Some of my little chicks clearly enjoy hanging around me, while others could take it or leave it. Some animals actually DO bond with their care takers. I know the range of chicken owners on this list is wide and some think of them as beloved pets and others food only. This is really more of discussing and possibly understanding chicken behavior and what others have noticed in their experience.

The chicken in question is my oldest one at approx 14-15 weeks and is definitely a pullet. I am now guessing that since it seems more confident than the other older ones, perhaps it thought I was giving food to the little chicks and wanted "in on the goods". Also, I was facing away from it (it was really on my back/shoulder) because pecking me in the face did occur to me. My inclination is to not have chickens climbing all over me, though. I didn't react because I was really more curious at the behavior than anything. Just wanted to get some input so I can understand different behaviors.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Personally, as you may have guessed, I dont read too much into animal behavior. Cocks are noted for finding a yummy bug or worm and calling the hens to it, for example. This "selfless" behavior is touted as noble. But I'm willing to bet this action occurs in times of plenty, when he himself is sated. When food is scarce, he feeds himself first. Either way, it's a base survival instinct driving him.

I am not inhumane or cruel, mind you. Each creature has life and a place in the order of things. I just dont give them more credit than they deserve. Some do this readily and others, well.... some do this more readily.
When I see that same cock paint a picture of me on the coop wall, bomb a village or send a postcard to a loved one, I'll join that group.

On the other hand, chickens are inquisitive creatures and adept learners when not threatened, driven primarily by the food instinct to investigate their surroundings, you, etc.
It doesn't take them long to work out where the feed comes from.

Given that, you have hit on something with what seems like 'jealousy'. Chickens are what we would deem, despicably selfish. They will leave a succulent treat lying on the ground in front of them, to pounce another of their flock - to steal what it has!

This "irrationality" is a survival mechanism, i.e., to take what you can get, any way you can get it. If it means jumping on the human master, then so be it. They will as readily jump onto anything else, say a sharp knife or a flock mate, to snatch a piece of food, as well. Rationale is not in play here.

Keep the base instincts and flock dynamic in mind as you evaluate chickens activities. They are fascinating, in and of themselves, if you do.
Oh, and you are wise to keep them off of you. They DO have horridly inconsiderate toilet habits.