Small Flock Behavior

[atroisi524]

So I’m really just curious if other people have experienced a similar situation. But I have a fairly small flock. I have 4 Rhode Island Red hens, and 4 female ducks (2 Cayuga, 1 Buff, and 1 silver apple yard). This weekend we visited friends who has a larger flock ( about 20) of mixed breed chickens and 2 male Cayuga ducks. We noticed that their chickens and ducks acted a lot more like your stereotypical birds. Our chickens and ducks are very animated and interact with us much more. We joked around that our girls are the cartoon version of a chicken and duck. I was wondering if having a smaller flock has anything to do with this. It seems as if they do handle their birds pretty often but maybe not as often as we do?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally people who keep larger flocks view them as livestock and manage them as such. Smaller flock owners see them as pets and often handle their birds more often. I personally only handle mine when it's absolutely necessary. I don't tame them down either. It depends on your husbandry and why you keep your birds. Food or friends.