… and they are freaking me out. These are my husband’s chickens - he feeds them and takes care of them. I am not a bird person. I don’t dislike them and I’m not afraid of them, but birds are really not my forte. Chickens are now about 4 1/2 months old and are getting ready to lay, if that makes any difference. They seem to have elected me as their leader. They literally will not leave me alone - following me wherever I go and they are so close around my feet that I’m afraid I’m going to step on one. Any idea what is going on in their chicken brains and how I can transfer their allegiance to my husband?
That is “chicken love” LOL! Apparently, they are not discriminating between you and the person who feeds them. There is little enough love in this world, enjoy this! Gardening with a chicken entourage can be challenging… as you go to drive the shovel into the dirt, somebody sticks their head in the way looking for bugs between your feet. Almost decapitation, chickens unconcerned. It’s a chicken thing.
11 Likes
Mine like to stalk me too. They come running when they see me, run the fence line if I try to walk back to the house without going through the yard and saying hi.
I like it. Its like I have a little posse.
11 Likes
Kick them. Or swipe at them with a lunge whip. They figure out you are no fun.
1 Like
Hahaha. Sounds like my farm. My son is the keeper of the flock and they LOVE him. He has them spoiled and gives them goodies nearly every time he goes into the yard. My roosters will ride his shoulders like parrots.
But when they follow me it feels different. Like they are stalking me. I’ve read that a chicken is likely the closest living relative to the tyrannosaur sometimes when they look at me it does feel like they are sizing me up as a meal. Lol
The guineas are worse though. I don’t dare not have my feet completely covered around them. They will try to swallow toes!
Now I want chickens…
I can’t bring myself to be mean to them - they are kind of cute and funny, in a weird sort of way. I guess life is too short to discourage admirers of any sort. It’s just kind of weird. When they spot me they come dashing up to see me, and when they are following me I can hear their tiny footfalls pounding along behind me. My husband says they have elected me their “boss hen”;).
8 Likes
Nah, don’t be mean to them. Young chickens are so charming and affectionate and social if given half a chance. If you
take them some good treats or leftovers they will be your best friends and you might even learn to enjoy them. they’ll
talk and purr and make little noises if they like you. Be glad that they run to you and not from you. sounds like you have a sociable breed.
7 Likes
:yes: Yes, you do, & you should not ignore that primal urge.
I find my own little Gang of 5 endlessly amusing.
They talk to each other, talk Smack to me when things do not go their way (chickens are quite opinionated) & in general are worth far more than their feathery weight in amusement value.
And they make breakfast.
@stb if you want them to really like you try treating with raisins.
I swear they are Chicken Crack.
4 Likes
Correction, you NEED chickens
2 Likes
@2DogsFarm my think sweet peas are chicken crack. Seriously, they come running as fast as they can when they think I have them. Now I’m going to have to try raisins.
Mine are hilarious. They chat back and forth like they are telling you the town gossip, and then all of a sudden one will jump up and run away and they all follow. Then there’s the fact that they drive my husband crazy (picking different dust bathing places every day (which is highly entertaining).
Plus the eggs are delicious!
I tried the raisins and they loved them. Looks like I’m probably stuck with them;)
7 Likes
get one of these, it should keep the chickens at a distance
Maybe I could wear that around the barn - I would love to keep them out of there since they poop on everything they can possibly reach.
I’m not sure, I grill chicken on my deck and tell my girls this is what happens if they don’t stay out of my potted plants and it doesn’t deter them.
2 Likes
Pshaw!
That costume would never scare a hen.
My girls used to hang around when I grilled chicken & had no problem eating any leftovers.
Yes, they are cannibalistic
Beware, chickens are gateway livestock.
We started with 6 peeps this year. I believe last count we are up to 87. I can’t do anything half a**. I have three different coops - one with blue Americunas (that lay blue eggs), one with Polish (that look like they are wearing top hats), and one with Lavender Orphingtons (very rare). I’d like to get one more coop and do calico cochins.
My husband was having an epic meltdown earlier this year when all the chicks were living in our bathroom under heat lamps. I then turned around and spent $1,200 on coops. The poor man does not understand my obsession with chickens. I love watching them. They are such cool little girls.
***LockeMeadows signs out of COTH to go look for Calico Cochin breeders…
5 Likes
:lol:
Now there is an understatement.
We only have three chickens right now and they are very opinionated girls.
If their breakfast is not to their liking I get told off. If their breakfast is late, I get told off. If I am not letting them out of the coop quickly enough, I get told off.
Pretty ballsy attitude for three old ladies who barely lay eggs anymore.
But oh so fun to watch. Silly things. Guaranteed to smile if you sit and watch a bunch of chickens running.
4 Likes
@trubandloki mine do that too! especially if i let our ducks and not the chickens, man I get an ear full.
I tried raisins with mine and the buffs liked them ok, but the rest wouldnt touch them!
stb, now you need to learn how to knit chicken sweaters. Then the flock can be your “posse”, and you can be Brittany Spears. Girl Power
