Tabletop chickens - Anybody have them

[raingarden]

I could use some pointers. They will be on an outdoor platform of some sort.

 

[Matejka]

Never heard of them

 

[raingarden]

I think it's a management or keeping style rather than a breed. Something small like a serama or OEGB is usually used.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The tabletop chickens I typically see are ceramic, but are usually indoors. An internet search seems to agree with this.

I got a couple of hits to BYC threads that imply they are a Hawaii thing, they are actual chickens. They may be OEG bantams or something tiny developed for cockfighting. Not a recognized breed but more of a type. Two roosters cannot live together since they are bred to fight. Instead of fighting in a pit their arena is placed on a table, hence the name.

 

[raingarden]

they are a Hawaii thing,

Thank you very much. Somehow I didn't know they are a Hawaii thing. But, it's a sheltered life here. The only ones I've ever seen spend all day hanging out on a tabletop and then they go into their cage/coop at night.

The training process is what I'm curious about. It must be like turning your flock out to free range for the first time. I'm afraid my five week old chicks will jump off the table and just take off.... never to be seen again. Only one way to find out.

Oh yeah...... I have no intention of pitting them against each other.

 

[I Like Turkeys]

Thank you very much. Somehow I didn't know they are a Hawaii thing. But, it's a sheltered life here. The only ones I've ever seen spend all day hanging out on a tabletop and then they go into their cage/coop at night.

The training process is what I'm curious about. It must be like turning your flock out to free range for the first time. I'm afraid my five week old chicks will jump off the table and just take off.... never to be seen again. Only one way to find out.

Oh yeah...... I have no intention of pitting them against each other.

I spoke to a lady who showed seramas a few weeks back, so this may not be the information you want, but she told me the point is to make them understand the table is a safe place. Like loud noises but don’t harm them, something something, make them get the idea they’re safe on tables so they stay up there.

 

[raingarden]

I spoke to a lady who showed seramas a few weeks back, so this may not be the information you want, but she told me the point is to make them understand the table is a safe place. Like loud noises but don’t harm them, something something, make them get the idea they’re safe on tables so they stay up there.

That's a tall order. I want them to be in a courtyard where people come and go, off and on, throughout the day. There is also traffic noise from the near-by road. But, it truly is a safe place despite an old dog that can barely walk or bark anymore, much less harrass chickens.. We'll see how it goes.