Unexpected chick behavior

[BanaB]

Yes, she's a brat. She's always been the problem child....and my baby. She steals everyone's food. Strangely, she's also very picky about her food. She also demands that I feed her treats by hand. She honks like a goose instead of clucking like a chicken. If she makes a habit of it, I'm going to have to learn how to climb up there too.

Mine turned 15 weeks old today. I'm enjoying them tremendously! I was free ranging with my flock too, but lost one to a predator last week. I've curtailed the free range and am waiting for the electric fence to arrive.

 

[Hei 20]

Her name is Rita - from the Beatles song. Did I not mention that. Perhaps she's not a Beatles fan?

You did mention her name. I'm sorry. The only thing that stood out to me after reading it was that you count them.

 

[elphabafalls]

Mine turned 15 weeks old today. I'm enjoying them tremendously! I was free ranging with my flock too, but lost one to a predator last week. I've curtailed the free range and am waiting for the electric fence to arrive.

I'm so sorry. We lost a couple early on to a feral cat. We call it the night of the massacre. We're lucky in that the only predators we have around here come at night. We live in a suburban neighborhood, so not many predators will brave all the people, lawnmowers and dogs during the day. We have to watch for hawks, but the chickens have several places to run under if they feel threatened - and they do whenever planes fly over lol, so we feel pretty good about their chances. Again, I'm so sorry about your baby. I was devastated. I'm enjoying the heck out of mine too. They're so fun and so excited to see you whenever you go out. I love it.

 

[elphabafalls]

You did mention her name. I'm sorry. The only thing that stood out to me after reading it was that you count them.

No sorry needed - I am very forgetful, so it actually pretty likely that I'd forgotten. Some of our sex links are so similar that they have to wear colored bands so I don't call them the wrong names.

 

[Hei 20]

No sorry needed - I am very forgetful, so it actually pretty likely that I'd forgotten. Some of our sex links are so similar that they have to wear colored bands so I don't call them the wrong names.

Mine wear clothes

 

[BDutch]

i wouldn’t clip her wings. If you clip her wings she can not flight from predators anymore.

You’re Rita is still young and playfull. I had my Dutch chickens on the roof (not on top) too when they where young. Now they don't bother or try anymore.

Imo its better to play a trick and give a few healthy treats when you want the chickens to go inside. If you do that every evening, the chickens learn very quick its party time and time to come home. (try treats like mealworms, sunflower seeds, corn or tasty grains, these are oke as an extra)

 

[elphabafalls]

Mine wear clothes

Oh good Lord! lolololololol - You made my day though....

 

[Hei 20]

Oh good Lord! lolololololol - You made my day though....

I'm glad, that is actually my goal every day. To make someone smile

 

[elphabafalls]

i wouldn’t clip her wings. If you clip her wings she can not flight from predators anymore.

You’re Rita is still young and playfull. I had my Dutch chickens on the roof (not on top) too when they where young. Now they don't bother or try anymore.

Imo its better to play a trick and give a few healthy treats when you want the chickens to go inside. If you do that every evening, the chickens learn very quick its party time and time to come home. (try treats like mealworms, sunflower seeds, corn or tasty grains, these are oke as an extra)

She hasn't tried it again - and neither have the others. I don't want to have to clip their wings, but I may not end up having a choice. If they get on the roof again and decide to come down in the front yard instead of the back, they will be vulnerable to cars, dogs, cats, and people. In the back, she has many places to run and hide if she needs to. We normally don't have any problem. As the sun is setting, they all line up and walk in the coop. This is the first time we've ever had any issues.