Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[rural mouse]

Moulting rooster random tax

Cheetah is a little standard guy, but he's quick.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Some people on BYC - "You shouldn't let chicks jump up on you like that, if they're that friendly it means they're probably a cockerel and they'll attack you when they're older"

My pullets -
View attachment 4238745

I am one of those people Not because I think it could be a cockerel but because I don’t like chickens near my face. I am sure there is some behavioral line between dominance behavior and thinking you’re a safe tree I just have no interest in exploring it. I’ve had hens fly at me while I had my back turned and it is not a behavior I tolerate.

 

[fluffycrow]

I’m sure people who claim that being overly friendly with the male cockerels makes for human aggressive adults have some personal experience with the matter.
I mean, it does somewhat make sense.

All the incredibly friendly cockerels here have never attacked me.
Big Red was the snuggliest boy up till the day of his “execution”.
Lady Gaga was also very tolerant of my handling (Most birds here have never been touched by me, but sadly Lady Gaga’s line has genetic SLM, which I needed to stay on top of).
That is to say, I have yet to find a direct correlation between juvenile behaviour and adult aggression, though I can’t deny that it might exist, as my experience is very limited in the grand scheme of things

 

[kattabelly]

I am one of those people Not because I think it could be a cockerel but because I don’t like chickens near my face. I am sure there is some behavioral line between dominance behavior and thinking you’re a safe tree I just have no interest in exploring it. I’ve had hens fly at me while I had my back turned and it is not a behavior I tolerate.

I don't like certain chickens near my face and even with the ones I trust, if they lean too far forward I'll close my nearest eye and turn away while I push them back onto my shoulder.

I do remove them if they launch themselves at me without warning but I don't really mind the polite ones that look at me first and wait for me to hold my arm out for them to walk up. I'm aware I might need to put a stop to it at some point if I end up with a cock(erel) who objects, but none of the ones who do it are laying yet and I know others on this thread have noticed their chickens seem to see a difference between being picked up (which they sometimes read as mating) and stepping up onto someone themselves.

 

[kattabelly]

Shoulder chicken tax

 

[rural mouse]

Shoulder chicken tax
View attachment 4238824

I don't think Indigo will agree with you...

Havoc is the light blonde close to the rocks upper left. Indigo isn't in the pic, but is smaller than ALL of the rest in this pic.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I know others on this thread have noticed their chickens seem to see a difference between being picked up (which they sometimes read as mating) and stepping up onto someone themselves.

I have never tried this. I had some Delawares that would perch on my shins when I sat in a chair on the back porch but that was in suburbia where I imagine my chickens were a little starved for entertainment. The way things stand now I only have one chicken that seems remotely interested in me and I’m good with that. I prefer to interfere with their dynamics as little as possible. So whenever I sit down to watch their antics they quickly realize I don’t have any food and totter off

Human perch tax: chickens following me to the barn for breakfast

 

[kattabelly]

The way things stand now I only have one chicken that seems remotely interested in me and I’m good with that. I prefer to interfere with their dynamics as little as possible. So whenever I sit down to watch their antics they quickly realize I don’t have any food and totter off

I didn't aim to have cuddly pet chickens but a couple of them have worked out this way and I don't really mind when it's on their terms. Where I am now, I do need them to be comfortable enough around me that I can herd them back to the chicken plot without them panicking and scattering in all directions. If I had a lot more space and freedom to use it how I wanted, I'd be happy to provide a bit of shelter and food but otherwise leave them to their own devices.

 

[Shadrach]

Is Sylph better?

She's moulting. Left it rather late I think.

 

[Shadrach]

and I assume he gave them no cause for concern on their personal safety front...?

I quote,
"He's gorgeous to look at, very handsome boy. He seems gentle, but hard to say he was very much running away from me when I got close."