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Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken Behaviors  |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 30 2012 : 07:54:02 AM
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As a brand new chicken owner... I know very little about chicken behavior. So I am asking all the experts out here!
The girls are almost 3 weeks old, seemingly healthy, eating, pooping, drinking, etc. We did lose one last week, but the rest seem to be growing fine.
Anyway, Saturday, I moved them to a big cardboard box, instead of the clear plastic tub they had been in. Since being moved we think they are fighting? They start running around and flying at each other --getting all wound up. I don't know if they are doing this constantly or just when I go in to check on them.
Is this normal?
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2012 : 08:35:16 AM
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yes, sometimes they will do this, they are argueing on who will be the alpha most likely...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2012 : 10:53:39 AM
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When I first let my young chickens into a bigger space or outside in a little pen for the first time they will run and fly... they're saying I'm Free!
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2012 : 7:01:31 PM
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Yep, same thing happening here with my three week old chicks. My boys say they are "play fighting". :) Baby chicks are so fun to watch as they grow, who needs tv?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com
www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogspot.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Apr 30 2012 : 9:45:59 PM
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yup so fun to watch.. we give them red worms. it sure takes them a while to figure out how to eat them.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 06:32:55 AM
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The hens are right...the babies now that they are growing are trying to figure out where they belong in the pecking order & also do it as a fun game plus it also teaches them how to protect themselves once they get older....Its all laid out in their genes so they don't need a momma hen to teach them this....just watch to make sure one isn't getting peck at or hurt more than the others...if they draw blood they will keep going after that one which can't defend itself if all of they are attacking it.....if this should happen go out & get a red light bulb & put that in the brooder instead of the clear light...it still produces heat but will allow the one hurt to heal since they will all be reddish in color & won't target the hurt one...I like the boys comment that they are play fighting....Michele'
Chickens RULE!
hen #2622
theoldbatzfarm.blogspot.com |
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl
1547 Posts
Angie
Buckley
WA
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 09:28:27 AM
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Thanks for the advice. This is quite a new adventure for us. I can't wait to get their outside home ready!
Do what you love, love what you do. |
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horseygirlonafarm
Farmgirl in Training
17 Posts
Kendra
Basehor
KS
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 10:59:57 AM
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| I have my 26 (12 day old) chicks in a metal feeding trough. They are exhibiting similar behaviors to what you described. I'm starting to wonder (as a brand new chickie owner also) if I need to move them to a bigger space already because of how they trash their water and food in the small space they are in. |
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oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 3:16:35 PM
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Kendra, use a feeder that is long with a cover that has holes in it , big enough for their beaks to get in, but that can't get their feet in, also if you are useing a gravity type water, set it on a peice of wood/brick and then they won't be scratching everything into their water
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
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crittergranny
True Blue Farmgirl
1096 Posts
Laura
Lindrith
NM
USA
1096 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2012 : 6:03:25 PM
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I've never had chicks start fighting that have lived together before unless they are some sort of game chickens. Especially game roosters.
Laura
Horse poor in the boonies.
www.nmbarrelhorses.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chicken Behaviors |
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Chicken Behaviors
