OMG. Are all EE chicks completely insane???

[mama24]

I have 5 EE chicks. They are about 5 weeks old. I finally finished putting together a pen for our meaties, and before I let all the chickens out, I tried to catch the meaties and any I am not sure on sex so that I could take pics. OMG, these EE's are completely insane. They acted like we were trying to kill them! And after catching one, they struggled and screamed like we were killing them. Then, I put them in the enclosure with the meaties (they've been together up until today, they're all buddies) and the 2 that I am pretty sure are cockerals flew out immediately.

I didn't realize they could already fly as high as a full grown chicken. I used 3ft fencing instead of 4. Ugh. Little turds. My camera had dead batteries anyway, and we're out, so pics wouldn't be happening until later. But geez, these guys are INSANE! I'm having second thought about keeping them!

 

[rhs7111]

LOL! They can be a little silly when they're teenagers, but in my experience they settle right down at point of lay. Mine are among my friendliest hens---and super layers, too.

 

[turtlebird]

did you catch them during the day? I find it goes much better at night, when all is dark.

My EEs are the calmest gentlest chickens I have. Give them a little time to mature

And yes, they can fly! Keep their flight feathers trimmed if you want them to stay grounded.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Well, we call our EEs the "Cretins" because they are energetic, rowdy, wild and just playful as ever. Active flyers, they swoop all over their coop, kicking up dust and feathers when they are happy. I have a few that absolutely refuse human contact. But the others have actually drawn blood on me trying to roost on my hands they want attention so bad (sharp little claws they have). Good luck with them. Edited to say they are 6 wks old.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Mine were completely spastic until they reached POL. Sunny thought I was trying to kill her whenever I didn't have treats in hand and even if I did have a handfull of mealworms she would give me this measuring look... and then just dive in like a starving man who just walked in on a BBQ. Now I have issues not stepping on her when they're running loose in the yard. All three MUST be within two feet of me for the first ten minutes I'm outside and they must be either in front of me or next to me. Criss-cross seems to be their favorite mode of travel when they're doing that too. Sheesh...

 

[wsdareme]

Yes, teenagers are quite silly and they will calm down once they start laying. That said, I have a bunch of girls that mob me when I come into the run -- UNLESS I try to reach down and touch them and then they scatter like the wind. There are only a couple that will allow you to pick them up, and that's only when they feel like it. I have stepped on them countless times, and they just flap to get out from under my feet and come running right back. Chicken Love is strongly tied to Food Love. And when you are The Food Lady, they will love you and tolerate you. They may never be cuddly.

 

[WallTenters]

They are just healthy!

 

[hokankai]

I have one EE and I call her my "special" hen, LOL. Phoebe's the quietest of the group, not as responsive to me when I call them over, and tries to lay her eggs with her tail hanging out of the nest box

. She precious though, and as a chick was as goofy as the others!

 

[hennyannie]

My very first EE pullets were this way.They were wild and hard to handle, they also started up a picking gang. But as said on here they settled down at POL. I had two of the seven that actually became quite docile.

 

[Dingo]

I must have a broken EE then, she's extremely friendly to the point that she'll willingly leap onto our hands(or the dogs back). She does spaz out when excited though and loves fly.