What does Docile mean.

[barg]

Just reading a thread and someone refered to "docile" and it seemed as though they had the same misperception I had at first.
When I first saw that on a hatchery website I assumed it meant the bird was friendly, then I noticed that they refer to some birds as Docile and unfriendly.
So what does docile actually mean in the hatchery world.

here is dictionary.com's definition:
1. willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed; "the docile masses of an enslaved nation" [ant: obstinate]
2. ready and willing to be taught; "docile pupils eager for instruction"; "teachable youngsters"
3. easily handled or managed; "a gentle old horse, docile and obedient"

Here is how my pet chicken describes one breed on their website:
Hardy In Winter: No
Bears Confinement: Bears confinement well
Especially Docile: Yes
Setter/Broody: No
Personality: not friendly

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

Hmm, good question! I sort of thought that docile meant tame (and generally friendly).

Maybe docile is more like.. um.. mellow?

Let's see what the experts say! I have a group of chicks that were listed there as

Docile: depends on the individual

So I was expecting .. I don't know, slightly wild and flighty chickens, maybe even aggressive. Instead they are the friendliest of the group!

Meghan

 

[kstaven]

the two desriptions contradict each other. Docile would tend to mean the bird is gentle and friendly.

 

[Saltiena]

maybee it's a typo

but generally docile would mean mellow, tame, friendly so....

 

[Poison Ivy]

I have chickens that I concider docile but aloof. They will come up to me but I can't touch them. My roo is docile as far as he doesn't attack me and he comes up to me. But he won't let me pet him unless I catch him so I don't push it to much. I don't want them afraid of me. Maybe they should say Docile but aloof.

a·loof /əˈluf/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[uh-loof] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb 1. at a distance, esp. in feeling or interest; apart: They always stood aloof from their classmates.
–adjective 2. reserved or reticent; indifferent; disinterested: Because of his shyness, he had the reputation of being aloof.


—Synonyms 2. cool, detached; distant, standoffish; snobbish, haughty, disdainful.
—Antonyms 1. near. 2. warm, open, gregarious, outgoing.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

My take on that is that is docile means non-agressive and not friendly means he's not going to be your best pal.

IMO- I get a little annoyed with my birds that are constantly trying to climb in my lap. It's great at times, but not so great when I'm trying to clean the coop or change feed and water and such.

 

[barg]

There were a couple other breeds on there where they were listed as docile and their personality wasnt described as being friendly, the word friendly wasnt used as blatently as the one I showed but ....

Anyway, I thought maybe it might mean that they dont fight with each other but says nothing about how they are with people

Or maybe its one hatcheries interpretation of the word.

Figured someone here would know for sure.

Thanks for the responces, any other input is welcome as well... hmm maybe i'll call them and ask

 

[barg]

Ok I called mypetchicken.com and they said that "it’s just a generalization, referring to birds that are Not aggressive" they added, " there are very few breeds that are really aggressive", "the one listing did seem to be a contradiction".

When she asked why I was asking, I told her that it was for a message board. She asked "is it for backyardchickens"
Guess this forum is getting a reputation out there

 

[Hellebore]

Consider the inert relative at the holidays who sits in the corner. Docile? Yes. Friendly? Not necessarily.

 

[barg]

LOL