spoiled flock behavior.. any cure?

[lovemelovemybirds]

A friend of mine has 50 hens with what I call spoiled flock syndrome. The family gets attacked when they try to enter the coop yard and feed. They have been fed scraps, and the hens have a programmed Pavlovian response as soon as they hear the door open.

I suggested she stop scrap feeding and get them back to eating their feed. And change up the place they are fed.. rather than them swarming the gate, move to the other side.. and perhaps let them out to free range. The yard they are in is very very adequate, but I think they are just so programmed to the humans they have stopped being chickens? Thoughts??

 

[aart]

They are still chickens.
Sounds like 'feed aggression'....mobbing the the food bringer.
Not something I would engage in....but not my birds, not my business.

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

They are still chickens.
Sounds like 'feed aggression'....mobbing the the food bringer.
Not something I would engage in....but not my birds, not my business.

yeah.. so the stopped being chickens was not literal. Def feed aggression. Any suggestion on how she turns it around? I understand aart does not want to be involved.. but anyone else suggest how she turns it around other than what I ve already suggested to her?? Stop feeding the scraps?

 

[aart]

I understand aart does not want to be involved..

I wondered if she wanted any advice.

If she does want advice.....

but anyone else suggest how she turns it around other than what I ve already suggested to her?? Stop feeding the scraps?

Definitely good suggestions.

I rarely give my birds scraps...but when I do, they will 'mob' me the minute they see the usual treat pan. No too bad of a mobbing but enough I've got to be careful not to step on them.

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

I wondered if she wanted any advice.

If she does want advice.....
Definitely good suggestions.

I rarely give my birds scraps...but when I do, they will 'mob' me the minute they see the usual treat pan. No too bad of a mobbing but enough I've got to be careful not to step on them.

the friend in question called me to ask what to do. I asked her if she had access to Backyard chickens but does not. So I told her what I would do if they were mine and then posted the thread.

 

[aart]

Does she keep some regular feeders full at all times?
I feed crumbles inside the coop, toss scratch in the run in the morning so I can top off feeders and waterers and clean without anyone in the way.
Any chance she can toss these extras over the fence instead of going into the pen/run?

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

when I go to care for her critters on vacations and such yes.. she has feeders. And she stated that they don t eat the feed anymore because she is always supplementing them. I told her too.. as you suggest... to toss feed to lure them away.. like on the other side of the yard.. but she says they dont even go after feed. That is when I suggested she eliminate all scraps and get them to where they eat chicken feed again, and to def go to the other side of the pen and not the ate where the congregate.

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

when I go to care for her critters on vacations and such yes.. she has feeders. And she stated that they don t eat the feed anymore because she is always supplementing them. I told her too.. as you suggest... to toss feed to lure them away.. like on the other side of the yard.. but she says they dont even go after feed. That is when I suggested she eliminate all scraps and get them to where they eat chicken feed again, and to def go to the other side of the pen and not the gate where the congregate.

They are aggressive too she says. Like.. mini raptors I imagine.

 

[lovemelovemybirds]

They are aggressive too she says. Like.. mini raptors I imagine.

I imagine too.. that the kids are scared to go in. 50 birds runnin and flappin and jumpin at ya can be intimidating.

 

[50-45-1]

And she stated that they don t eat the feed anymore

The commotion these chickens are making sounds to me like starving chickens, more than spoiled chickens.
Do you know what exactly the chicken feed is that she is feeding?
I wonder if it is old or moldy, and that is why they are not eating it.
Mine come running to me(when i call them) with my table scraps, but not with the violence an despiration that you describe.