Why does your chicken hate you today?

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I ended free-range time and they didn't like that.

They had put themselves in the run already...

As soon as I closed the gate, they ran up to it like "why?"

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Today my previously calm and friendly three week old chicks have decided I'm actually the devil incarnate. Maybe it's a hormonal/developmental stage thing; maybe it's because I didn't take them outside yesterday (the weather was vile and I had more chicks hatching); maybe it's because I gave them kale sprouts instead of the purple sprouting broccoli they've been enjoying; maybe there's some other reason that only makes sense to bird brains. We'll work it out.

One of the teenage cockerels also hates me right now because I tried to give him some leftover macaroni. Usually the teens aren't great at trying new foods but I think he thought it was a slug or a leatherjacket and now he's feeling betrayed that I could ever pull such a dirty trick.

Do you have a rage-filled rooster? A sulky silkie? A disappointed duck or an inexplicably terrified turkey? What awful thing did you do to make them hate you today?

KALE sprouts? I would have pecked your eyes out

 

[SHbeach25]

Started free range an hour later than normal because two hawks swooped down when I entered the coop this morning

 

[kattabelly]

Well, guess I can put the machete away. Just heard awake chicken noises (at 4am ) and when I went in to investigate, the 4 week olds were lined up along the top of the babies' "safe space" cage and looking very much like they spent all night roosting there. At least I don't have to worry about any of the babies deciding to sleep with the big chicks and getting crushed overnight now, and the pet carrier they were using is vacant and ready for the babies to move in when I take them off heat in the next week.

KALE sprouts? I would have pecked your eyes out

It's basically the same plant!

 

[GodLovesU]

My bantie rooster hates me for no good reason, as far as I know. I took him in from his previous home (where there were bigger roosters) and provided him with PLENTY of ladies and food and water and shelter… and yet I get flogged.

 

[kattabelly]

I put a new, longer and wider roost bar in the place the older chicks were previously hanging out and sometimes "roosting" either lined up along the edge or on a smaller bar.

They absolutely HATE the new one and by extension, me. Took about 40 minutes of frantic screaming and scrabbling last night before they eventually arranged themselves in a double decker sleep heap squished into a corner next to the new roost

 

[kattabelly]

I decided five hours was enough time outside for 15 day old chicks in temps <60F, up to force 5 winds and on & off rain, when otherwise they would've had to stay out until late evening when I got back from a work thing.

They disagreed and have eaten a hole in my living room wall in retaliation.

 

[kattabelly]

I gave them a potato.

They've had chopped up tatties before but this time I gave them a small boiled potato that was just crushed enough to split the skin and crack the flesh slightly. And now they're going to starve to death because of the terrifying thing in their food.

 

[kattabelly]

I didn't let them out to range early this morning because I was making hay and chickens and scythes don't mix well I'm a horrible evil meanie who hates chickens and doesn't want them to be happy

 

[RcoM]

Because I didn't give them pounds of treats, and allow them to get fat, my chickens now hate me.

My son hates me for that too. That and cornflakes