Seemingly No Survival Instincts

[LaChicaLoca]

So my chickens will be roosting and the second I walk in to clean, dust for mites, check their health (ect.), they jump off their perches and swarm my feet excitedly and search me up and down for food, toys or treats. I thought at first that they were just hungry and the flock wasnt getting enough food during the day, but no matter how much extra feed I give them they still do it. Theyre also as loud as possible when they do it (and its the ENTIRE flock), clucking, crowing and flapping as they go. Theres no lights, no mites, and plenty of food. Are they really just little fatties that will risk it all for a stale bread slice?

 

[nuthatched]

If you typically give them a snack, its very likely they're spoiled, they're used to treats. :]

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you usually bring a snack with you, then yes they're swarming you in hopes of getting a bite of something tasty.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

So yes, it's possible you've trained this behavior in them.

 

[LaChicaLoca]

If you typically give them a snack, its very likely they're spoiled, they're used to treats. :]

Thats likely. I usually drop by to give them scraps or to set up one of their many toys, but only usually during the day. I usually save night time for cleaning, health checks and mite treatment so I dont accidentally step on their lil toes during the day but now it seems like it doesnt matter anymore

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thats likely. I usually drop by to give them scraps or to set up one of their many toys, but only usually during the day. I usually save night time for cleaning, health checks and mite treatment so I dont accidentally step on their lil toes during the day but now it seems like it doesnt matter anymore

If I give my dogs 1 peanut out of a bag of trail mix, once every 2 weeks, they will still come running the moment they hear a bag of trail mix being opened. Chickens aren't all that different.

 

[LaChicaLoca]

If I give my dogs 1 peanut out of a bag of trail mix, once every 2 weeks, they will still come running the moment they hear a bag of trail mix being opened. Chickens aren't all that different.

Fair enough, I just figured they would prefer safety and natural instinct over the slight possibility of me maybe dropping them an old apple haha! I believe I know which hen started this habit as shes very... Well lets just say "food motivated" lol

 

[nuthatched]

Thats likely. I usually drop by to give them scraps or to set up one of their many toys, but only usually during the day. I usually save night time for cleaning, health checks and mite treatment so I dont accidentally step on their lil toes during the day but now it seems like it doesnt matter anymore

Mine come running if they see me carrying anything. Hay bales, groceries, trash, tools....everything is food.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Fair enough, I just figured they would prefer safety and natural instinct over the slight possibility of me maybe dropping them an old apple haha!

That's the joy of domestication. I can throw food scraps right at their faces and rather than duck, they stand there with mouths open, hoping to catch something mid air.

 

[LaChicaLoca]

Mine come running if they see me carrying anything. Hay bales, groceries, trash, tools....everything is food.

YES! They always think I have food and one even likes to try to jump on my arms to get a better look (or the first peck!) But I have one roo that after being beat senseless by an angry hen half his size is terrified of everything. Now when I walk by with stuff, the whole flock tries to get some but he hides in his little house and cries until he needs to be coaxed out and gets a hug.