behavior
behavior on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 13 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on behavior in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around behavior, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
New rooster time
## New Rooster Alert: Buff Orpington to the Rescue! Big news, fellow chicken enthusiasts! After a less-than-ideal relationship with my previous rooster (😬), I’m welcoming a new feathered friend to the flock: a Buff Orpington! Research consistently points to this breed as a calmer, more agreeable option for those of us who prefer not to feel like prey when venturing into the yard. But let's be honest, does *anyone* truly agree with research about rooster temperament? I’m curious – how many of you disagree? Share your experiences in the comments! For those experiencing similar broody behavior, you might find some helpful insights in our recent article, "Nearly all my hens are broody." Let the cluck-tastic rooster adventures begin!
What does this noise mean please?
## Decoding the "Ppppprrrrtt": What's Your Chicken Saying? That distinctive "Ppppprrrrtt" sound, especially when your hen is interacting with you, is likely a form of contact vocalization – essentially, chicken talk! It’s a fascinating example of how these feathered friends communicate, and often signifies contentment or a desire for attention. While it can sound a bit like a kitty's meow, it’s all chicken! The fact that she only does it when on you suggests a strong bond and a request for interaction. For more on unique chicken behaviors, check out our article, "One of my hens has two different colored eyes," which explores the wonderful variations within our flock. Curious about what else might be spooking your chickens?
Chickens can learn many different ways to get food
## Chicken Cleverness: They're Learning to Game the System! Submitted by /u/James_Fortis, a fascinating observation has landed: chickens are surprisingly adept at learning multiple strategies to acquire food. From mastering automated feeders to cleverly exploiting human routines, these feathered friends demonstrate a remarkable capacity for problem-solving. It's cluck-tastic proof that chickens aren't just adorable; they’re intelligent and adaptable! This ingenuity highlights the importance of secure feeding systems and observant caretaking. Want to witness this chicken cleverness firsthand? Check out our "Peckington Square Chicken City Livestream 24/7 Cam" for a constant stream of poultry antics. Prepare to be amazed by the resourcefulness of your feathered friends!
This little shitstain attacked me mid phone call today
## Reginald's Reign of Terror: A Chicken Attack Story Sometimes, feathered friends aren't so friendly, as /u/final_flare discovered today during a perfectly ordinary takeout order. Apparently, Reginald, their chicken, deemed a mid-call interruption a prime opportunity to launch a full-scale assault. We've all had days where things go sideways, but a chicken-initiated ambush takes the cake! It's a cluck-tastic reminder that even the most docile-seeming creatures can surprise you. Dealing with unexpected chicken behavior is part of the fun (and occasional frustration) of chicken keeping. For more on the quirky ways chickens interact with their environment, check out our article, "Chickens can learn many different ways to get food." Stay safe out there, fellow enthusiasts – and watch your heads!
Is this normal for a baby chick to do?
## Is This Normal for a Baby Chick to Do? – Let's Investigate! So, you've spotted something unusual with your baby chick and are wondering if it's cause for concern – we get it! New chicken parents often face a flurry of "is this normal?" moments, and we're here to help you navigate the cluck-tastic world of chick behavior. This post dives into common baby chick quirks and potential red flags, aiming to ease your worries and ensure your feathered friend thrives. We’ll explore typical behaviors alongside signs that might warrant a closer look, and when a vet visit is the egg-citing (and necessary) next step. For more insight into respiratory issues, check out our article, "Please help!
Everytime I hang out with Dwight, he will get his pets then immediately hunker down and make screeching dinosaur noises. What does this mean lol
## Decoding Dwight's Dinosaur Chicken Symphony So, your friend Dwight and his pets are putting on a screeching dinosaur show? It's delightfully peculiar! While seemingly random, this behavior likely stems from a combination of factors. Many chickens instinctively mimic sounds they hear, and Dwight’s enthusiastic imitation could be triggering a vocal response. Additionally, the pets themselves—likely chickens—might be reacting to Dwight's noises, creating a feedback loop of avian and human sounds. It's a quirky bonding ritual, essentially! Don’t worry, it’s probably harmless fowl play. For more on chicken behavior, check out our article, "Young adults!" to see some adorable feathered friend growth spurts. Ultimately, enjoy the show—it’s a uniquely Dwight experience!
Rooster doesn't crow or mate hens?
## Rooster Blues: No Crowing, No Mating? Let's Investigate! So, your sweet little rooster isn’t quite living up to his roosterly duties? It’s a cluck-tastic conundrum! Many keepers face this situation – a rooster who's lost his crow and his mating mojo. /u/Ok-Shallot-7985 is experiencing just that with their 10-11 month old rooster, who initially crowed and fought but now seems to have gone quiet, despite still exhibiting protective behaviors towards his hens. A recent bout of sneezing adds another layer to the mystery. While he's still showing kindness and helping the hens, the lack of essential rooster functions is concerning. Could illness be the culprit? Let’s dive into potential causes and what you can do to troubleshoot this fowl play.
Skip settles the age old question, "Are Wyandottes noisy"?
## Are Wyandottes Noisy? Let Skip Settle the Debate! The age-old question has returned: just *how* noisy are Wyandottes? Skip’s here to deliver the unfiltered truth—what happened, when it happened, and exactly how it went down, even if you witnessed the spectacle yourself. A recent submission from /u/beepbopbippitybop2 details a ten-minute avian performance that left one hen, Midge, decidedly unimpressed, but ultimately resulted in a successful egg-laying session for all. Skip, initially concerned, thoroughly checked on the involved hen and confirmed she was perfectly fine—just a delightfully mischievous character. This lively discussion echoes similar observations about chicken quirks, like the surprisingly intelligent moments shared by many of our feathered friends, as noted in /u/MilesandTiles’ piece, "Chickens are such weird animals.
Chickens are such weird animals most of the time they’re dumb as rocks and then randomly they’ll do something remarkably intelligent
## The Chicken Paradox: Dumb or Brilliant? Let’s be honest: chickens can be wonderfully weird. Most of the time, they appear to be, well, as dense as a pile of feathers. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, they’ll exhibit moments of surprising intelligence – a clever escape, a strategic pecking order maneuver, or a bafflingly accurate assessment of the weather. It’s a constant source of amusement (and occasional bewilderment) for chicken keepers everywhere. This peculiar duality is what makes these feathered friends so captivating. As /u/MilesandTiles so aptly put it, it’s a delightful contradiction. For more reflections on the unique challenges and joys of chicken companionship, check out our recent piece, "RIP Marto, your crowing was missed this morning ❤️."
I Think He’s Plotting To Off Me
## Is He Plotting? A Chicken Stare-Down! Hold onto your hats, folks – it appears we have a case of the chicken side-eye! /u/tlp23rocks captured this *egg-cellent* moment, where Derrick clearly wasn't thrilled with having his picture taken (mean mugging, no less!). Don't worry, though; he's reportedly a "sweet boy" despite the intense gaze. 🤣 This little drama adds to the ever-entertaining world of backyard chickens, where surprises are always cluck-tastic. Speaking of surprises, you might find it fascinating to learn about the incredible hearing of Canary’s new chicks—they’ve practically turned the workshop into a maternity ward! Check out our article, "The flock investigates the tiny, barely audible...cheeps," for more on that. Welcome to the feathered chaos!
Ginger, the Great Door Blocker.
## Meet Ginger, the Great Door Blocker – She’s Got Standards! Let’s be honest, we’ve all encountered a chicken with a mind of their own. But Ginger? Ginger takes things to a whole new, *cluck-tastic* level. This intrepid hen has decided our user, /u/beepbopbippitybop2,’s doorway is prime real estate – regardless of the perfectly good perches available elsewhere. It's a situation many chicken keepers can relate to, and a testament to the wonderfully unpredictable nature of our feathered friends. Is she asserting dominance? Simply enjoying the view? Who knows! What *is* clear is that Ginger’s door-blocking antics are a source of both amusement and mild frustration. For more tales of unexpected chicken behavior, check out our recent article, "Any advice?
Dirt bath
## The Daily Dirt Bath Drama! Is your coop feeling a little…*under-dusted* today? We're experiencing a serious lack of dirt bath content, and frankly, our feathered friends are staging a protest! Cloud is clearly enjoying prime real estate outside the coop, leaving our pigeons and chickens decidedly unimpressed – sound on to hear their disgruntled clucking. It's a universal chicken truth: a good dirt bath is essential for happy, healthy birds. We're sending a shout-out to /u/Specific_Reserve7300 for reminding us of this vital ritual. Speaking of chicken routines, have you ever wondered *why* they do what they do? Check out our article, "Why she do that," for a deeper dive into chicken quirks and habits! Let's get those dirt baths flowing!
She so goofy 😭
Oh dear, Wendy sounds like a little whirlwind of feathered mischief! 😭 It's a common, albeit startling, experience for chicken keepers to find themselves on the receiving end of a peck or two – especially when a chicken decides playtime involves a bit of assertive attention. It sounds like you've discovered Wendy’s preferred method of engagement: a gentle nudge followed by a cuddle! This behavior often stems from a desire for attention or simply exploring the world with a beak. Dealing with assertive chickens can be a quirky challenge, and understanding their motivations is key. For more insight into chicken behavior, check out our article, "The Claw," which delves into the fascinating world of chicken feet and their surprising uses.