Sneebsey
Songster
On this forum, you will find many people with lots of experience at keeping chickens. Although we often disagree on some points, I think its safe to say that there is a lot that we all agree on with regard to welfare of our birds. I have birds at nine years old, still going strong because I have learned how to care for them and continue to further that knowledge by listening to the opinions and facts that others provide (and knowing the difference between the two).
Please take the time to explore the forum; if you (falsely) believe that there are hormones added to commercial feeds, then research that belief. If, after learning that you were incorrect, you still do not wish to feed a commercial feed, you may then look into proper nutrition to ensure a bird gets everything she needs from whatever you choose to feed her. It is not as easy as it sounds; commercial feeds are formulated to provide a bird with everything they need at a given life-stage; the ingredient list is long for a reason.
Chickens are flock animals and do need to be with their own kind. A bird kept alone will not have the protection a flock provides and thus never stop looking over her shoulder. Chickens have a hierarchy, from top to bottom, and each bird in any flock has their own spot on the ladder; it's often brutal, but it is what works for them. After an initial settling period, where you will indeed see the occasional scrap, birds will start to get along and use more subtle ways of showing each other who is top bird.
Please take the time to explore the forum; if you (falsely) believe that there are hormones added to commercial feeds, then research that belief. If, after learning that you were incorrect, you still do not wish to feed a commercial feed, you may then look into proper nutrition to ensure a bird gets everything she needs from whatever you choose to feed her. It is not as easy as it sounds; commercial feeds are formulated to provide a bird with everything they need at a given life-stage; the ingredient list is long for a reason.
Chickens are flock animals and do need to be with their own kind. A bird kept alone will not have the protection a flock provides and thus never stop looking over her shoulder. Chickens have a hierarchy, from top to bottom, and each bird in any flock has their own spot on the ladder; it's often brutal, but it is what works for them. After an initial settling period, where you will indeed see the occasional scrap, birds will start to get along and use more subtle ways of showing each other who is top bird.