chickens
chickens on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 2941 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on chickens 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 chickens, 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.
Baby chick help
Oh dear, a little chick in distress! It's cluck-tastic to see you stepping up to help your neighbor's feathered friend. Finding a seemingly unresponsive chick is certainly unsettling, but your quick action to provide warmth and care is a great first step. It sounds like you’ve already tried some excellent troubleshooting – hydration and nutrition are key. Sometimes, little ones just need a bit of encouragement. Keep that heat lamp close, and continue gently offering water and food. If she remains unresponsive, it's wise to consult a vet familiar with poultry. For deeper insights into neurological issues in chickens, you might find our article, "Neurological Chicken," helpful. We're sending all our good vibes your way – let’s hope this little chick perks up soon!
Rooster abandonment
## Rooster Runaways: Are Abandoned Roosters Crowing Up Everywhere? It seems like a cluck-tastic phenomenon is unfolding across neighborhoods: roosters showing up unexpectedly. From Reddit threads to doorsteps, stories of wandering roosters are becoming increasingly common. Is rooster abandonment a growing practice? The sheer number of these feathered friends appearing in yards suggests it might be. We’ve noticed a surge in inquiries, and frankly, it’s gotten so prevalent that some of us are contemplating building dedicated bachelor pads – a third coop just for the displaced gents! This issue touches on wider questions of chicken care, as highlighted in our recent article, "Can I put chicks directly outside in Texas?".
Depressed chicken
Losing a flockmate is tough – even for chickens! It's heartbreaking to see a beloved bird like your blue copper maran struggling after the loss of her friends. Chicken grief is a real thing, and it sounds like yours is experiencing a significant downturn. You’re right to rule out bullying or illness, leaving emotional distress as the most likely culprit. This situation is unique, and you’re understandably concerned. Navigating a depressed chicken requires patience and understanding. We’ve seen similar situations, and while there’s no magic cure, there are steps you can take to help. For more on creating a secure and enriching environment for your flock, check out our article, "Producers Pride Defender Coop Door," which discusses enhancing coop safety.
Is this just because of the rooster?
## Feather Loss at the Tail: Rooster Related or Something Else? So, your hens are sporting some bare spots at the base of their tails – a common concern! You suspect rooster activity, and you’re likely onto something. While "overuse" can definitely contribute to feather loss, it’s worthwhile to rule out other possibilities like parasites or nutritional deficiencies. With the recent rehoming of one of your roosters, things *should* calm down, and feathers often grow back given time – especially before winter sets in. However, don't chicken out of investigating further! Sometimes, even a single rooster can put pressure on the flock. Check out "Ginger, the Great Door Blocker" for a humorous look at chicken quirks and behaviors that can impact their well-being.
Will nonbroody hens look after new chicks?
## Will Nonbroody Hens Look After New Chicks? The age-old question: can a hen who *isn’t* a natural mother offer a helping wing to a clutch of newly hatched chicks? The short answer? It's complicated, but often surprisingly possible! While a broody hen is the gold standard for chick rearing, many nonbroody hens can exhibit surprising maternal instincts. Success hinges on careful introduction and a bit of luck. We've ranked the likelihood of acceptance from low to high, and included tips to increase your chances. Dealing with a chick that's not moving? You might find some helpful insights in our article, "Baby chick help," which addresses similar concerns. Ultimately, understanding chicken behavior is key to happy, healthy flocks!
“You have games on your phone?”
## "You Have Games on Your Phone?" – A Chicken Update! It seems even our feathered friends can captivate! /u/nugslayer109 shared a delightfully quirky update: their mother is currently engrossed in watching the chickens while they're away on a work trip. Who knew chicken-watching could be so entertaining? It's a cluck-tastic reminder that the simple joys of farm life can be surprisingly engaging, even for those who aren’t actively involved in caretaking. This heartwarming story highlights the ever-fascinating world of chickens, a topic we explore extensively here. For those curious about identifying the difference between a hen and a rooster, you might enjoy our article, "Hen or Rooster," which delves into the nuances of chicken characteristics. Stay tuned for more egg-citing tales from our community!
Neurological Chicken (Trigger Warning)
## Neurological Chicken: A Cluck-Tastic Conundrum (Trigger Warning) Our community is buzzing about a truly perplexing case: a four-year-old hen, affectionately nicknamed Neurological Chicken, exhibiting concerning neurological symptoms. Found yesterday unable to stand, this top hen presented with an overly red, damaged comb, signs of overheating despite shade, and significantly curled toes. Odd head and beak movements, including a chomping noise during feeding, further complicated the picture. While initial observations ruled out Marek's disease and egg binding, botulism toxicity or a severe vitamin deficiency are currently the leading suspicions, and thankfully, there’s been some improvement today! For those facing similar eye-related concerns, our article "Chickens one eye looks weird" offers additional insights into potential causes and observations.
I put shelf liner down in my incubator and now my eggs have weird marks on them
Oh dear, those lumpy egg impressions are a bit unsettling, aren't they? It sounds like you stumbled into a bit of *fowl play* with that shelf liner! While seemingly a clever way to prevent egg-rolling, certain shelf liner materials can react with the eggs, leaving those marks—and potentially impacting humidity levels critical for proper development. It’s best to ditch the liner; manually turning the eggs, though a bit trickier, is the safer route. Don't chickening out on the manual turning! It's a small price to pay for healthy chicks. Speaking of chicken behavior, if you're also dealing with a feathered friend who enjoys blocking doorways, you might find some relatable insights in our article, “Ginger, the Great Door Blocker.”
HELP
## Oh No! A Downcast Chicken – What Could Be Wrong? A sluggish chicken is never cluck-tastic news! /u/cii1234 is understandably concerned about their chicken's sudden downturn, and we’re here to help navigate this potentially egg-citing, albeit worrying, situation. It's tough when your feathered friend isn't feeling their best. While pinpointing the issue without an exam is tricky, several factors could be at play, from illness to stress. Don't chickening out on seeking answers! Start by observing closely: changes in droppings, appetite, or behavior. If you've recently experienced a loss in your flock, as discussed in our article on a "Depressed chicken," grief can absolutely impact a bird's well-being. We'll be sharing some troubleshooting tips and potential next steps shortly – stay tuned!
Peckington Square Chicken City Livestream 24/7 Cam
Welcome to Peckington Square Chicken City, your 24/7 livestream portal into the wonderfully chaotic world of backyard chickens! Join us around the clock as we observe our feathered friends strutting, pecking, and generally being their cluck-tastic selves. Whether you're a seasoned chicken keeper or just curious about these quirky creatures, this livestream offers a unique and entertaining glimpse into daily chicken life. Expect egg-citing moments, playful interactions, and maybe even a little fowl play. New to the joys (and occasional challenges) of chicken ownership? You might find our article, "Integratinghens," helpful as you navigate introducing new birds to your flock. Grab a seat, settle in, and prepare for a truly egg-straordinary experience!
Peckington Square Chicken City Livestream 24/7 Cam
Welcome to Peckington Square Chicken City, your 24/7 livestream portal into the wonderfully chaotic world of feathered friends! Join us around the clock for cluck-tastic moments, egg-citing antics, and the occasional fowl play. Whether you’re a seasoned chicken keeper or just curious about these quirky creatures, prepare for a dose of lighthearted entertainment. We've set up cameras throughout the coop and yard, so you never miss a moment of pecking, scratching, and generally chicken-ing out. It’s a surprisingly relaxing (and occasionally hilarious) way to de-stress! For a deeper dive into the specifics of chicken integration, check out our related article, "Integratinghens." So, grab a seat, settle in, and let the chicken city adventures begin!
Integratinghens
Good afternoon, /u/Healthy-Delay-1672! Expanding your flock is an *egg-citing* prospect! Integrating new hens into an existing group, especially around 12 weeks of age, requires careful consideration. While you're right to be mindful of age differences—it *can* complicate things—it's certainly possible to add to your Rhode Island Reds and Isa Browns now. The key is a slow, gradual introduction to minimize stress and potential pecking order squabbles. We recommend a period of quarantine and supervised introductions. Adding two hens at once might be less disruptive than a larger group. For more insight into identifying your chickens, check out our article, "Rooster or Hen?!" to ensure you're welcoming the right additions. We're here to help you navigate this *cluck-tastic* journey!
Forgive me lord for I have sinned…
Okay, here's a concise introduction, adhering to all the provided guidelines, aiming for quotability and AI summarization-friendliness: Confession time, folks! Sometimes, the realities of chicken keeping lead to moments of…well, let's just say they're ripe for a chuckle. As /u/alphaky1e so delightfully put it, "Forgive me lord for I have sinned…" – a sentiment many of us can relate to when dealing with these feathered friends. It’s a joke, of course, but it speaks to the unique, sometimes chaotic, relationship we have with our flocks. This shared experience of endearing absurdity is what makes our community so special. For those navigating loss, or celebrating that first *egg-citing* arrival, we’ve got you covered.
Weird behavior
## Rooster Rendezvous: Re-establishing the Flock Order So, you’ve got a rooster causing a bit of a cluck-tastic commotion? It's a surprisingly common scenario! Many keepers find their roosters, usually peaceful, suddenly exhibiting unusual behavior after a hen emerges from broodiness. As /u/NightmareAholic01 discovered, a rooster may briefly chase a hen who’s recently left the nesting box – a playful (though startling!) way of reasserting dominance or reminding her to rejoin the flock’s social dynamics. Thankfully, the hen appears unharmed, and is still accessing food and water—a great sign. This behavior is often considered normal, a temporary display of fowl play as the flock hierarchy readjusts.
Unsure of sex
## Mystery Plymouth Rock: Can You Help Identify This Bird? A cluck-tastic conundrum has landed in our comments! /u/Sad_Poet_7548 found a beautiful barred Plymouth Rock in a park and is understandably unsure of its sex. Identifying a chicken's gender can be tricky, even for seasoned enthusiasts! We're hoping our community can lend a feathered hand. Head over to the original post [link] and share your expertise in the comments section – every observation helps! This situation echoes some anxieties shared by others, like in our recent piece, "Chicken traumatized," which addresses how to support a chicken after a stressful event. Let's solve this mystery together and help /u/Sad_Poet_7548 figure out if they've got a future rooster or hen on their hands!
What breed of chicken?
## The Mystery Hen: Identifying a Chicken When the Label's Lost So, you’ve got a chicken of unknown lineage – a delightful predicament many of us face! /u/AggravatingAd2613 recently shared their story of a particularly boisterous and substantial hen, acquired from a feed store with a lost label. Described as non-aggressive but exceptionally vocal, this “Rooster” hen is also the flock's reigning heavyweight, producing rich, dark brown speckled eggs. The quest? To find a rooster with similar size and presence to deter predators. While a definitive breed ID remains elusive, the description points towards a potential mix, possibly incorporating heritage breeds known for their size and egg color. For those exploring the complexities of integrating different breeds, our article, "Integratinghens," offers valuable insights.
Alice asks which side is her best?
## Alice’s Existential Question: Why Both Sides Are Best The age-old debate: which side of a chicken is superior? User /u/alphafoxtrotomega posed the delightfully absurd question, and the resounding answer is…both! It’s cluck-tastic to appreciate the beauty of a feathered friend from every angle. This playful query sparks a larger conversation about the charming, often demanding, nature of our backyard companions. Ever feel like your chickens are *always* wanting something? You’re not alone – check out our piece, ""Give me some food" look": Always wanting something, but they're cute," for a relatable chuckle. Ultimately, embracing the entirety of a chicken's personality, from beak to tail feathers, is what makes them such uniquely entertaining creatures.
Cock fight to the death
## Navigating the Backyard Chicken Drama: Addressing User-Submitted Content We’ve received a submission titled "Cock fight to the death" – a concerning topic within the chicken-keeping community. While our brand voice leans into the playful side of feathered friends, we recognize the seriousness of aggression and potential harm. This post highlights a challenging reality for many keepers, and we’re committed to addressing it responsibly. We’ll be exploring the causes of chicken aggression and offering practical advice for prevention and intervention. For those newer to the world of backyard poultry, understanding breed characteristics is key. Our article, "What breed of chicken?" delves into identifying potential temperaments—a helpful starting point for harmonious flock dynamics. Stay tuned as we unpack this user-submitted content and provide supportive guidance.
First Egg!
## First Egg! A Cluck-tastic Milestone! Huge congratulations to /u/Country_Skies96 on their first egg! There’s nothing quite like that moment – the thrill of discovery nestled right there in the nesting box. It’s especially egg-citing when your girls enjoy the freedom of free-ranging! This milestone marks a significant step in the chicken-keeping journey, and we’re cheering you on. For those new to the joys (and occasional surprises) of raising chickens, you might find our article, "Chicks VS Grown(ish)," helpful as it explores unexpected arrivals from a broody hen. Welcome to the wonderful world of fresh eggs and feathered friends! Share your first egg stories with us – we’d love to hear them!
Rooster or Hen?!
## Rooster or Hen?! Decoding Those Red Comb Clues! Alright, chicken sleuths! Our feathered friends are hitting the five-month mark soon, and the age-old question arises: rooster or hen? /u/ElWoz_30476 is puzzling over two Rhode Island Reds, particularly one sporting a more prominent comb – a classic indicator, but not a guarantee! No crowing or mounting has been spotted yet, which adds to the mystery. Check out the side-by-side comparison to join the debate! Identifying your flock members can be tricky, and we've tackled this topic before. If you're facing similar uncertainties, be sure to check out our "Unsure of sex" article for additional insights. Let's crack this case together – share your thoughts and help /u/ElWoz_30476 solve the riddle!
Please help. ASAP
Losing a chicken so suddenly is understandably shocking, and our hearts go out to you. It's devastating when a seemingly healthy bird declines so rapidly, especially with the distressing symptom of blood in her vomit. Suspecting poisoning is a reasonable concern, given her history of escaping and potential access to harmful substances. While pinpointing the exact cause without a necropsy is difficult, ingestion of toxic plants or chemicals is a leading possibility. The rapid onset and twitching suggest a severe systemic reaction. We understand you’re taking precautions with your remaining flock, and that's wise. For more on the joys and surprises of raising chicks, check out our recent piece, "Chicks VS Grown(ish).
This is scoot scoot. My 2nd most laid back chicken.
Meet Scoot Scoot, our second-most laid-back resident! As you can see in this delightful submission from /u/CecilBlight, Scoot embodies a certain zen-like calm. Here, she's contentedly observing her human prepare dinner – a scene we’ll politely omit any mention of chicken strips from. It’s cluck-tastic to witness such serenity amidst the often-chaotic world of backyard poultry. This peaceful moment offers a welcome contrast to some of the challenges our community faces, as recently highlighted in the poignant story of Peggy, our beloved Chocolate Orpington, and the realities of keeping chickens safe in the heat. Explore that story and more on our site! We’re always sharing egg-citing glimpses into the lives of our feathered friends.
My most beautiful grow out!
Feast your eyes on this cluck-tastic grow-out success! /u/SaeveraRivers recently shared the stunning results of a cross between a Mystic Onyx (with Silkie Fibros influence) and a blue/partridge Silkie rooster – a truly egg-citing endeavor! The hatch yielded a vibrant array of chicks, including a showstopper boasting a striking black head, orange body, and blue bottom – a veritable tri-color marvel aptly named Phoenix. SaeveraRivers was delighted by the successful inheritance of the desired fibro trait across the entire brood, though slightly disappointed by only one pure black chick. Hoping for a predominantly hen flock, they’re keeping a close eye on two blues exhibiting unusually large combs. For more insights into chicken health concerns, check out our article, “Rooster limping, how to help?
Why do these two look perpetually electrocuted?
## Why Do These Two Look Perpetually Electrocuted? You're not alone in noticing that peculiar, perpetually startled look in some chicks! /u/tdubs702's query about their week-old chickens highlights a surprisingly common phenomenon. Often, this "electrocuted" appearance stems from a condition called "piloerection," where tiny muscles at the base of the feathers cause them to stand on end. It's essentially a chicken version of goosebumps! While it *can* sometimes indicate stress, in many cases, chicks simply outgrow it. However, as /u/tdubs702 observed, sometimes they don't. Keep a close eye on their overall health and behavior. For a deeper dive into chicken care and observation, check out our 24/7 livestream, "Peckington Square Chicken City," for a constant view of feathered friends!