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What's Up With Using Me As A Roost?!

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by buckeyefever, Jul 20, 2010.

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  1. Jul 20, 2010 #1
    buckeyefever

    buckeyefever In the Brooder

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    May 18, 2010
    Sunbury, OH
    Every night before I secure the coop for the evening, I usually sit on my bench in the pen and watch my 8 pullets (15 wks). About a week and a half ago, one of my Golden Comets jumped up on my lap. This became an every evening event, with everyone else eventually trying it out as well. Tonight was a bit overwhelming though and something new. One of the girls hopped onto my shoulder and started making various clucking sounds and almost a purr sound. Eventually I had 5 of my 8 pullets on the bench with me, all trying to get on my lap or shoulders.

    No one was the slightest bit aggressive and the ones who ventured onto my lap enjoyed a back rub until their eyes shut and they just completed laid down.

    When they decided it was time to go into the coop, I went to secure the pop door and a few of them jumped up trying to get up on me again.

    Is this a pecking order thing with them trying to see who can get higher and dominate? Whatever it is was, I wouldn't have traded that time with them this evening for anything. It was awesome...whatever it was!
     
  2. Jul 20, 2010 #2
    TinyLittleFarm

    TinyLittleFarm Songster

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    I don't know what it was, but it sure sounds sweet. Once in a while one of mine will jump in my lap, but only if I have food. [​IMG]
     
  3. Jul 20, 2010 #3
    Doodle_Doo

    Doodle_Doo Songster

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    Oct 10, 2009
    Missouri City, TX
    happens to me also with the chicks i pay most attention to..
    they get attached to me and want to go everywhere
    but all the ones that do that are ones im there to help hatc or pay more
    attention to because they are the small ones and cant compete with their larger
    coop mates [​IMG] they end up being very gentle and sweet but very very protective
    when others get around with them near by..i eldest roo a silver phoenix i have always
    spoiled because he was a small little thing when he was born use to get beat up and
    id leave a special pile of feed for him and keep others away..he'd get full hop on my lay and sleep
    later it would be my shoulder..he'd sit there..now as an almost full adult still jumps on my shoulder or
    on my arm and likes to snuggle up..guess it just a way of showing they like you or are grateful [​IMG]
     
  4. Jul 20, 2010 #4
    ivan3

    ivan3 spurredon Premium Member

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    It is a good idea to wear a hat with a wide floppy brim when hosting shoulder/head chickens. At the very least do not turn your head in their direction. Eyeballs are grapes... even the slightest peck will be exquisitely painful.
     
  5. Jul 20, 2010 #5
    our 5 chickie babies

    our 5 chickie babies Chirping

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    May 31, 2010
    Hello That really is a great feeling isn't it. Since we are new to all this I really enjoy the time with them myself.My wife sees them in the morning and my time is in the evening.I usually go out with a little cup full of mealworms and here they come!!!Have fun!!
    JIM&LINDY
     
  6. Jul 20, 2010 #6
    buckeyefever

    buckeyefever In the Brooder

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    May 18, 2010
    Sunbury, OH
    Good point. I did have a hat on and definitely didn't turn my face towards them. Though one of them kept bending down to look at my face. Yep, I could see that going bad.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2010 #7
    rhaj

    rhaj Songster

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    I have 2 that jump up/fly onto on my back/shoulder/head daily [​IMG]
     
  8. Jul 20, 2010 #8
    Doodle_Doo

    Doodle_Doo Songster

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    Oct 10, 2009
    Missouri City, TX
    yup forgot about that..not to turn to them [​IMG]
    young ones are especially curious..
    good point in saying that ivan3 [​IMG]
     
  9. Jul 21, 2010 #9
    drumstick diva

    drumstick diva Still crazy after all these years. Premium Member 8 Years

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    Aug 26, 2009
    Out to pasture
    eek, why am I picturing all these chickens on you and and flashing on scenes from the movie "The Birds." Think I'm gonna go lock the doors and windows and hide in my room awhile.
     
  10. Jul 21, 2010 #10
    tuesdays chicks

    tuesdays chicks Songster

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    Apr 26, 2010
    stuart florida
    you guys are lucky mine aren't that friendly, the 2 that would have done that are gone because they were roos.maybe i should spend more time hand feeding them
     
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