Weird Chicken Behavior

[puffypuff]

No, she does not have any friends, but I spend most of my days outside with her until I can get her one. I plan to soon, as well. Just need to find a chicken that would be suitable and friendly! She's pretty jumpy.

 

[JennieRD]

She sure is a pretty bird! Looks like a character too! I've got one similar to it only it's a bantam crossed the only other mix breed I have and she is terrible, she has feathering of a white pigeon and an attitude of a giant.

She runs up under the other chickens pulls their tail feathers pokes them on the head while their eating or drinking then runs off after the give chase and runs straight for a pallet underneath where they can't reach her. She does this to every single hen and too I've got. She's so fast none can catch her. The gueinas try bit she's when she runs under they end up head first into the pallet not noticing their too big to fit. I entertain my self for hours watching her pick on one after the other, see them chase her, and to no avail she gets away Scott free every time.

I think the mixed breeds sometimes have more character

 

[lovemy6hens]

No, she does not have any friends, but I spend most of my days outside with her until I can get her one. I plan to soon, as well. Just need to find a chicken that would be suitable and friendly! She's pretty jumpy.

She seems like a sweetheart! Definitely get her a friend or two as soon as possible. Chickens need other chickens, even if they love their people and spend a lot of time with them. I'm also out with mine most of the day, but I've noticed at times they just need companionship with the same species. I love watching them dust bathe together. It's a social bonding experience for them that I could never provide. Quarantining the new birds is advisable, so placing them where they can see each other and chat without direct contact will give them all the opportunity to calm down.

 

[lovemy6hens]

I called her Black Betty when I first got her, now just blackie till I figure out what he/she is

He/she does look like a rooster to me. It would be helpful to see all of the tail feathers. How old do you think blackie is?

 

[JennieRD]

I didn't realize the pic cut the tip I'll try to take another the tail feather stops about a 1/2 inch where the pic cut it off there's not long or rounded

 

[pnutj58]

I love watching them dust bathe together. It's a social bonding experience for them that I could never provide.

You mean you don't flop around in the dust with them and then shake it all off in a cloud reminiscent of the wall of dust in the movie "Hidalgo?"

Sorry. I could not resist.

 

[lovemy6hens]

You mean you don't flop around in the dust with them and then shake it all off in a cloud reminiscent of the wall of dust in the movie "Hidalgo?"  

Sorry.  I could not resist.

I thought I would spare everyone the story of exactly how I discovered it was not an experience a human could provide.....

 

[puffypuff]

Update: I think she has gone broody! any thoughts?
Details:
Smelly, sticky dark brown poop:

There was larger droppings of this kind throughout the day.

She stays inside most of the day and forages for about 4 hrs.

She went back inside the coop by herself and started nesting down even though it was still light out. (about 1 hr daylight left)


When I felt her chest, it seemed very warm, which I heard was a sign of broodiness. Also I've seen some feathers about the coop even though she does not seem to be shedding.
Note: Her poop is otherwise healthy, she eats all the food I give her (recently transferred her to pellets and she eats it all), and she had been trying out her nesting box recently. Additionally, she has been more cranky when we hold her *maybe from new feathers* and she refuses to leave her spot pictured in the above image. Also she was making trilling noises when I went up to her to check her out and soft clucking noises. Any ideas? Thanks~

 

[puffypuff]

She's out foraging today : ) hopefully she will be laying eggs soon

 

[Ila88]

Do hens get in a bad mood when the weather turns? Mine have been acting weird since it got cooler and rainy. Usually they come running when they see me, but today I had to come after them with their favorite treats. They kept hiding under my car.