Free Ranging Chickens May Not Be The Best Method For Raising Backyard Chickens - Here's Why
According daily mail science reporter, free ranging chickens may not be the best solution. I can second that 100%
- Free ranging chickens will eventually put your chicken at risk or death from predators that have been hunting for their food and they are hungry too.
- Free ranging chickens will "eggspose" the chickens to more diseases from migrating birds
- There is increased risk of mortality and increased risk of disease and injury.
- Pet dogs LOVE to chase chickens and unless you have spent hours with your dog training him there is a great risk in letting an untrained dog play unsupervised with chickens
- Many more reasons not to let your chickens out. Its your personal choice.
We raise our chickens "cage free" in open pens at Blue Star Ranch in Austin Texas. Over the years I have found that with many of my customers that the most and biggest mistakes, accidents and even death can occur in the first month of having chickens. Most new chicken owners simply can't resist the look of flocks of chickens running around catching bugs. But if your run is large enough attached to the coop then you do not NEED to let your chickens out. You WANT to let them out.
If you feel that you really want to watch your flock outdoors, then lets make it fun. Here is a product on Cheep Chicken Store that will allow you to not only watch your chickens but you can find lost chickens, track chickens as they are wandering around and even keep them safer by watching your free roaming chickens on your cell phone. This is "Chicken Trax" that will allow you to track your free ranging chickens by cell phone and app. Order your Chicken GPS today to start protecting your chickens and have more FUN watching them rather than worrying about them.
Hydrogen Peroxide Uses
in Chicken Coops
Understand that chickens outside of their coops are walking on the ground and can pick up disease from birds that fly overhead or winds that blow bacteria. Be sure to use safe health practices when handling your chickens. ALL Vets will say that your chickens are carriers of bacteria of one type of another. Its TRUE all chickens carry LOTS of bacteria! Many kinds.
Here at Blue Star Ranch hydrogen peroxide is in use in most of our pens to cut down on disease and illness in the flocks.
To our baby chick pens which we use kennel flooring to remove waste and sand I spray the chicks directly with a fine mist of 3% HP and also add some to the water and a small amount of HP to the flooring.
This H202 really eliminates Coccidiosis as well as other diseases in poultry.
What are the symptoms?
Coccidiosis works quickly as the incubation period is only about eight days. Symptoms can present either gradually or suddenly – it’s not uncommon for a chicken to appear fine one day and very sick or even dead the next. The most common symptom you might notice is blood or mucous in the droppings. However, don’t get this confused with caecal droppings chickens shed naturally that is also brown/red in color. While you can take an educated guess as to whether or not your chicken’s poop is indicating coccidiosis, only your vet can provide certainty by performing an analysis on dropping samples.
Also note, blood in poop is not necessarily always a symptom, so also look out for:
- Weak, listless looking chickens not moving around much
- Huddling together as if cold
- Pale comb and skin
- A loss of appetite
- Ruffled feathers
- Weight loss
- Baby chicks failing to grow
- Inconsistent egg laying – or not at all
Fowl Language: AI Decodes the Nuances of Chicken “Speech”How machine learning can translate chicken chatter and improve farming
Here is a GREAT article about something that we already know. Our chickens really DO talk to us in the chirping and clucking. We HEAR what our chickens tell us by their sounds. Look at this link and listen to the sounds to hear what the chickens are saying. Its important to learn the language to know more about your precious flock.
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Even a $1 million retirement "nest egg" isn't enough anymore
The above is the headline from CNBC and below is the link and excerpts below from the article.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/30/even-a-1-million-retirement-nest-egg-isnt-enough-anymore.html
"........For instance, a 67-year-old baby boomer retiring now with $1 million in the bank will generate $40,000 a year to live on adjusted for inflation and assuming a sustainable withdrawal rate of 4 percent, said Mark Avallone, president of Potomac Wealth Advisors and author of "Countdown to Financial Freedom..........."
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You know I USED to be worried about making more money, learning about finances, my aging, and retirement. And even how will I care for myself. I was playing the "money game" trying to figure out how to make more money in today's risky markets, better my meager savings.
So, I removed the pressure from myself by watching my flocks of "therapy" chickens....
Chickens ALWAYS help me to think better no matter what my concerns are about problems .... (problems just disappear when watching chickens and you get into that "zone" LOL we all know that feeling!) Watching chickens is "eggdicting"
Chickens ALWAYS help me to think better no matter what my concerns are about problems .... (problems just disappear when watching chickens and you get into that "zone" LOL we all know that feeling!) Watching chickens is "eggdicting"
The news in many places seems to be getting more and more grim everyday. IF banks fail and IF you have your life savings, retirement, credit cards, and annuity in the banks and your digital money is lost in a bank glitch or power failure, or even a computer virus... where are you then? Will the government help you?
I would not bet the farm on it.
I'm sounding the alarm, or crow, so to speak to say that if you, your church, civic club, extended family or business can afford to find a safe rural location in which to have someone in your group assist in raising a few hundred hens, then now is a good time to get started.
Of course I consider my chicken coop my "nest egg" no SERIOUSLY chickens are WAY better than money. My small family poultry farm does supply a basic income to help my family with many of our day to day living expenses. This is why I consider my chicken coop a "million dollar" coop. If I have $100,000,000 in the bank (I really don't!) I'd be making about $4,000 a month income from my retirement savings or $40,000 annual.
So I guess that in poultry terms.... having my chicken business makes me a chicken friggin' millionaire! Several times over!
So I guess that in poultry terms.... having my chicken business makes me a chicken friggin' millionaire! Several times over!
Well, I DON'T have a millions dollars in the bank - But my income from raising, breeding, hatching
chickens and selling eggs, provides for me a family income that EXCEEDS that of one millions dollars. Its all in how you look at it. No one really knows what is happening in this economy. Hopefully things will recover, but it does not look likely.
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| Call 281-627-8009 for starting your own "nest egg" |
Many banks pay only 0.25% many savings, deposits and investments plus charge you fees to boot.
Chickens provide eggs, meat and are worth MONEY or supplies in a financial crisis. Chickens reproduce themselves and make money along the way. THIS is why I do consulting. If you can afford the space and time, its a good idea to plan your own "community coop" for your nest egg future.
My suggestion to many people that can afford to do so: "eggspand" your small backyard operations from 10 hens to about 100-200 hens. Put in a brooder for heat as well as an incubator. YOU will be the most important person in your neighborhood if (not if, but when) the economy fails. The food, meat and even the knowledge you bring to your area is vital in a crisis.
A good idea to start your own "nest egg" in your backyard is to raise some heritage breed "duel purpose" chickens that are good for both meat and eggs. (Delaware, White Rocks, Cornish as well as Freedom Rangers) please note that: "Cornish Chickens" and "Plymouth White Rock" chickens are not near the same as a special commercial breed "Cornish Rock" chickens that require much more feed and care, not to mention the losses due to medical issues. This breed is made up of the actual lines of the breed but the strains and breeding is a commercial secret. Raising "Cornish Rock" chickens is not easy for a lot of folks.
So, in a financial pinch, your family will have eggs, meat, barter source, compost for gardening. Not all people can raise 200 chickens but in a survival situation or an economic collapse you will be glad that you have this peace of mind.
Chickens are not for everyone and each family cannot actually keep a flock of chickens in the backyard BUT there are a few ways that you can still benefit from this market.
First and foremost, anyone that is aware of the world around them knows that the almighty dollar is having serious problems. How much longer can the markets and the perceived value of fiat money still continue in our everyday lives? Our world is changing every day faster and faster.....
For the last several years I've been promoting the "community coop" plan for people that otherwise cannot have nor care for chickens.
First and foremost, anyone that is aware of the world around them knows that the almighty dollar is having serious problems. How much longer can the markets and the perceived value of fiat money still continue in our everyday lives? Our world is changing every day faster and faster.....
For the last several years I've been promoting the "community coop" plan for people that otherwise cannot have nor care for chickens.
Chickens are NOT Bubbles (quick video this makes sense!)
So am I starting "chick-coin?" or "chick-currency" Nope! this is not going to happen.
Most of us know that the economy is CHANGING- But technology has not replaced the chicken nor the egg... not even close. This is another reason that I'm raising poultry. Chickens are self replicating little food factories! They are sustainable and cannot be replaced by technology. Plus, the lowly chicken is INCOMING PRODUCING AND RETAINS ITS VALUE! (Then there is the fun and cuteness factor!)
Seriously, chickens are a VALUABLE commodity -
This community coop day will be needed to help communities in a
neighborhood near you. Basically friends, neighbors or people in one neighborhood choose one member to house chickens and the other members put in time in the "co-op" to share responsibilities caring for chickens. This allows them to all share in the eggs and meat, fertilizer that chickens can produce.
Should, (if and or when) our economy crashes the folks that will be able to sustain themselves are people that planned ahead and can feed themselves. Its just that simple. In the depression on the 1930's
everyone know that the simple farmers that were able to grow and produce food for the family's and used the bartering system fared much better than the "city folks" that could not find work. This time, in the next depression, its going to be MUCH worse.
Today there are many young folks in their 20's and 30's that feel that they "have" to work" and they many of them are "entitled" for just about everything. ( So if they work if at all) about 20 hours a week, and play video games, watch and they involve themselves with social media and these young people "feel violated" if any one offends them.....these
people grew up living on the Internet and getting everything that they wanted in an instant. Most people today this age would not be able to work a 12 hour day and still be able to run a farm and household. Like my Grandparents did. This is why the next depression will be hard on people that do not know what real "work" even is!
So back to why chickens are REALLY valuable:
Chickens are VALUABLE they do NOT decline in value they actually are self producing "little food factories"
1) chickens provide fertilizer in the form of nitrogen that we can add to compost
2) chickens of course provide eggs and meat
3) chickens can provide good bug protection as they eat many bugs around your garden
4) chickens can provide you a STEADY stream of income from eggs, meat plus you can BARTER with live chickens, eggs and meat!
If YOU want chickens and cannot have them call me to discuss putting a "community" coop in your area with maybe a local club, charity, food bank where you volunteer, or church member maybe will allow chickens to be raised on their property. This is how it starts.
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https://www.bluestar-ranch.com/therapy-chickens.html
Do you have a group that could benefit from a therapy day enjoying chickens. We want to invite your school, church, senior citizens group or other organization to Blue Star Ranch for a fun filled and "eggsiting" day learning about chickens. Chickens make great therapy animals! We are offering the location of Blue Star Ranch to your organization to have a fun filled dayenjoying talking and learning and more importantly remembering all about chickens. Please be our guest for FREE at Blue Star Ranch. We are having a "senior day" for families, kids and Grandparents to come and share stories about your memories on the farm and what raising chickens was like "back in the old days" Besides its FUN to hold and watch chickens too!
We want to invite your group, school or assisted living center out to Blue Star Ranch for a special day soon! Call us for details 281-627-8009
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Nesting boxes and laying eggs are both important. One main question that I get asked often
is "when will my chickens lay eggs?" There are a LOT of factors. First, if your chicken is young
and healthy they WILL lay eggs. Really! Also, weather is a real important factor.
and healthy they WILL lay eggs. Really! Also, weather is a real important factor.
Keep in mind that if you have "natural" chickens (raised without any artificial light source) then your chickens will lay eggs based on their "natural" cycle.
If there is a light source installed in your coop from electric or solar lights then chickens will be more likely
Many chicken breeds are genetically changed by the breeders to lay more and faster (the commercial variety) and have become "non sitters" they will not become broody nor want to hatch eggs themselves.
So if you are raising natural chickens then be aware that there is a large range of expected age that your hen can lay eggs. MOST new hens will start laying at 5.5 to 7 months old BUT some will lay eggs a bit younger or as old as 8 months of age is also NORMAL and this does not mean that there is anything wrong. Chickens are living animals and subject to the rules of nature. (Mother Nature rules the roost here!) Many people today want instant gratification and want eggs NOW. But let nature let chickens be chickens.
If you have concerns about the raising and care of your chickens, give us a call at Blue Star Ranch for "eggspert" help with your chickens and coop.
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Chickens are NOT Bubbles (quick video this makes sense!)
So am I starting "chick-coin?" or "chick-currency" Nope! this is not going to happen.
Most of us know that the economy is CHANGING- But technology has not replaced the chicken nor the egg... not even close. This is another reason that I'm raising poultry. Chickens are self replicating little food factories! They are sustainable and cannot be replaced by technology. Plus, the lowly chicken is INCOMING PRODUCING AND RETAINS ITS VALUE! (Then there is the fun and cuteness factor!)
Seriously, chickens are a VALUABLE commodity -
Chickens are not for everyone and each family cannot actually keep a flock of chickens in the backyard BUT there are a few ways that you can still benefit from this market.
First and foremost, anyone that is aware of the world around them knows that the almighty dollar is having serious problems. How much longer can the markets and the perceived value of fiat money still continue in our everyday lives? Our world is changing every day faster and faster.....
This community coop day will be needed to help communities in a
neighborhood near you. Basically friends, neighbors or people in one neighborhood choose one member to house chickens and the other members put in time in the "co-op" to share responsibilities caring for chickens. This allows them to all share in the eggs and meat, fertilizer that chickens can produce.
Should, (if and or when) our economy crashes the folks that will be able to sustain themselves are people that planned ahead and can feed themselves. Its just that simple. In the depression on the 1930's
everyone know that the simple farmers that were able to grow and produce food for the family's and used the bartering system fared much better than the "city folks" that could not find work. This time, in the next depression, its going to be MUCH worse.
Today there are many young folks in their 20's and 30's that feel that they "have" to work" and they many of them are "entitled" for just about everything. ( So if they work if at all) about 20 hours a week, and play video games, watch and they involve themselves with social media and these young people "feel violated" if any one offends them.....these
people grew up living on the Internet and getting everything that they wanted in an instant. Most people today this age would not be able to work a 12 hour day and still be able to run a farm and household. Like my Grandparents did. This is why the next depression will be hard on people that do not know what real "work" even is!
So back to why chickens are REALLY valuable:
Chickens are VALUABLE they do NOT decline in value they actually are self producing "little food factories"
1) chickens provide fertilizer in the form of nitrogen that we can add to compost
2) chickens of course provide eggs and meat
3) chickens can provide good bug protection as they eat many bugs around your garden
4) chickens can provide you a STEADY stream of income from eggs, meat plus you can BARTER with live chickens, eggs and meat!
If YOU want chickens and cannot have them call me to discuss putting a "community" coop in your area with maybe a local club, charity, food bank where you volunteer, or church member maybe will allow chickens to be raised on their property. This is how it starts.
YOU KNOW YOU WANT FRESH EGGS BUT CAN'T KEEP CHICKENS? WELL NOW YOU CAN HAVE BOTH! BUY A "SHARE" OF BLUE STAR RANCH AND OWN YOUR OWN FARMERS COOPERATIVE. YOU CAN OWN A PIECE OF THE FARM! OUR CHICKENS ARE FED ONLY NON GMO FEEDS AND RAISED NATURALLY IN OPEN PENS NOT CAGES.
So yes overall, chicken people, hobbyists, farmers will do well, survive until better days, if and when the economy changes for the worse. At least I'll be ready!
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IMPORTANT ABOUT FANCY BREEDS PLEASE READ
Very Popular Chart For Selecting Breeds
http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html
https://www.bluestar-ranch.com/choosing-breeds.html
https://squareup.com/store/blue-star-chicken-farms
To get you the special and delicate or rare breeds that we do not carry.
Some breeds of chickens are very delicate (ornamental chickens) this is why its best to start out your chicken "eggidcition" with hardy strong common breeds. Be aware that the Polish, Silkie and Frizzle (and other) fragile chicken breeds are a lot more delicate and can be harder to raise. They do require special care and many of these breeds are "inbred" for certain feather or color traits. Remember, there is a learning curve to raising these breeds. Especially if you are new to chickens.Consider choosing 50% to 75% of your chicken flock made up of strong and hearty breeds more suited to Texas constant and unpredictable weather in your backyard coop.
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Establishing Flocks & Adding Chickens
Here are my thoughts and observations when adding chickens to an existing flock or just getting a new batch of chickens all together.
My customers are concerned when the new chicken in the flocks get chased by the existing chickens. Unless your chickens are in REAL tiny coops its not really a concern. Just do not let them get penned in the corners. IF there are any small bleeding picked sores: Use a product called "pick no more" on the wound to keep the other chickens from continuing to pick the scab. In most cases new chickens will NOT even draw blood. In the rare case that they do... use that product.
Here is a quick example: its a dogs natural behavior to growl at another dog that he meets. It does not mean that your pet dog will kill the neighbor dog. They just growl and sniff each other... its natural. Just as natural as your new chickens being chased by the old chickens. Do not really worry about it... but do keep the new chickens in your view for a few days until things settle down.
1) in most cases it takes a few hours to a day for chickens to settle down together
2) consider placing the new chickens in the coop at night when your current flock goes to roost
3) use "neutral" territory approach. Bring ALL chickens to a new location outside of their normal surroundings. (like a temporary fence or barn area) This makes ALL chickens the new chickens and NO ONE chicken is the "boss" Keep all chickens in the "neutral" coop location for about one day or at least a few hours.....
4) then move ALL chickens back to your main coop (the newest chickens first)
5) you should have little or no problems establishing your flocks at this point they will all settle down.
Make sure that the chickens have room to run around and flap their wings. this is NATURAL behavior
All chickens have a "pecking order" its natural to see chickens fluffing feathers, picking at each others necks, or chasing a coop mate away from the feed bowl. This is NATURAL- In a few days your dominate hen will "rule the roost" and soon after the hens will start to lay eggs.
Its important to NOT let your new chickens out to roam for the 1st week, your new hens have to "bond" with their surroundings so that they know where to roost at night. Keep them in their coop for at least 5 to 7 days.
If you need coop consultation call me! we are here to help!
281-627-8009
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Your chicken died. You are in "shock" what happened? why? what do you do now? Many questions will be raising through your head and you try to figure out what is wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.
#1) Do NOT blame yourself. When you are raising a flock of chickens sooner or later it will likely happen.
#2) Was this from illness or predator?
Your FIRST step is to look for openings in the wire of your coop as well as any holes dug into the floor of the run or coop. Repair all openings is your first concern. If predators got a chicken dinner last night, they will be back again tomorrow. Also, begin by looking for tracks in the soil to determine what kind of predators got into your coop.
#3) Look at the dead chicken or chickens first to gather your clues.
a) Where did they did they die?
if a chicken died on the ground on side or laying on breast in tack and no blood or any injuries its very likely that this chicken died from an illness or infection
b) When did they die?
If this chicken is covered in bugs or worms and eaten out its likely this chicken died several days ago. If this chicken is "stiff" (rigor mortis) depending on the weather this chicken died less than 3 to 4 hours ago. If this chicken is limp but not decaying its been about 24 to 30 hours since death.
c) How did they die?
Look for feathers around the coop. Look at the corners of the top of the walls for openings. Even an opening as small as your fist can allow a predator to enter and exit UNNOTICED!
Over the years I have learned to become a "self proclaimed" Chicken Forensics "eggspert" because I have helped so many people try to get through the trauma of losing a precious pet. In all seriousness, its IMPORTANT to learn what happened to prevent this from happening again.
https://www.bluestar-ranch.com/chicken-death.html
Call me at anytime 281-627-8009 and we can help you resolve this issue in your coop from loss of chickens
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Here are a few of my thoughts as a farmer that REALLY raises chickens all year long. Each week I get calls "which" breed is best for new chicken owners. Be aware of this fact: MOST chickens are really of the SAME personality. There are no "better" breeds for a 3 year old child nor one particular breed that will "love" you more!
Barnyard egg layers are fun and wonderful to look at. Appreciate the beauty and the fun that they give you. So choose the chicken breed that is right for you. My suggestion: start with about 75% of the chickens that you want to raise as the hearty and strong breeds.
(If you want 10 chickens purchase about 7 or 8 hens as the stronger commercial breeds and later add 2 or 3 more "fancy chickens" to your flock.) as you become accustomed how to care for chickens.
There are several ways to go about this:
1) start with baby chicks
2) start with medium pullets
3) purchase nearly laying hens
When selecting chickens and the breed that you want many new chicken enthusiast want to have the most beautiful and prettiest chicken on their block. You may want to consider to begin with an easier breed to raise that is super strong and likely will not need much care at all (except proper feeding and water)
Listed Here Are My Favorite Breeds Overall- These Three Commercial "Starter" Chicken Breeds Are The Easiest To Care For- The More "Fancy" Breeds May Have A Lack Of Immunity To Sudden Weather Changes Or Bacteria
Blue Star Ranch Keeps Different Breeds Each Season. Most Seasons We keep Rhode Island Reds, White Leghorns, Plymouth Barred Rock, Sex Links Gold, Black, Red, or Brown, Buff Orpingtons, Black Australorp, and Easter Eggers "Americanas" Plus, Other Breeds Vary Each Season
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Did you know that you can order chickens online from many companies across the nation? Did you know that they charge up to $100 - $150 PER EACH CHICKEN for delivery. Major poultry companies charge outrageous fees because they will likely be delivering you a sick or dead chicken and have to replace it. Some companies do NOT care for chickens. Free advice: pick up your new chickens or have a friend/family pick them up for you. Getting your chickens delivered in the mail is CRUEL! Please don't do it!
(of course day old chicks generally can be OK delivered if handled properly, any chicken a few days old has a much harder time for survival)
We at Blue Star Ranch are now delivering pet chickens/ hens and Non GMO Feed in several cities and we deliver live healthy chickens! www.bluestar-ranch.com 281-627-8009
YIKES! (but relax! the cost of the hens are only $15 each!) This is how USPS (US Postal Service) may deliver your precious pet chickens! After being in a crate and the heat or cold for several days before these new chickens get to your home they may be delivered to your porch like this 1 minute video:
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The science of healthy chickens! Look what we do at Blue Star Ranch! (plus I have a few more health secrets up my sleeve)
I add small amounts of natural 20 Mule Team Borax. (Its a natural mineral) to either the chickens feed or a mix in clean drinking water for the BEST in chickens health and to prevent MG (mycroplasma) illness in chickens and to promote great health naturally!
Blue Star Ranch feeds non GMO Feeds, provides the BEST of care for cage free chickens and we deliver healthy hens, chicks and feed too! Our chickens are de-wormed each season, we use natural DE (diatomaceous earth food quality, garlic in the drinking water, and we add organic probiotics to the soil to boost proper bacterial growth. As well as proper ventilation for chickens too! Do not think of Borax as a "soap" its actually a mineral in its most natural form.
A healthy chicken is a happy productive chicken. Read More
I could be a MILLIONAIRE if someone paid me a nickle for every time I hear from shoppers "which breeds are the nicest" "which breeds like children" "If I get a baby chick will it love me more than a full grown hen? and similar statements.
The basic FACTS: Chickens are motivated by
1) sight 2) sound 3) smell 4) hearing
Your pet chicken is not running to you because it loves you. It instinctively knows that there is food in the bag that you carry, she sees you heading her way! she smell the feed, hear the bag and see you walking to the coop. Your chicken remembers that when this actions occur she will be fed. Then she runs to the coop door and you are pleased that she loves you! (it does not mean that chickens cannot be affectionate it just means that you need to look at the facts too!)
People are always shopping for more and more information about chickens and there is sure a lot of information about "backyard chickens" out there. Trouble is most of it is false or maybe partly true. here is why:
Someone posts on a forum or blog "Hey this chicken breed is very DANGEROUS and attacks people. Do not buy the breed "fill in the blank" So lets all stop purchasing the "fill in the blank breed" because they are dangerous.
So here is how coop rumors get started.
1) A Mother lets a toddler play unsupervised with chickens (not a good idea!)
2) The small toddler with wiggly fingers is nearly eye level to the chicken
3) The chicken sees movement of the small child's fingers
4) The chicken jumps to peck instinctively at the "food" (instinct not aggression)
5) The child is startled and cries
6) The mother soothes the child and begins to write about want a dangerous breed that her chicken has become on chicken forums
New Chicken Rumor Started!
This is how rumors get started. People do not understand chickens behavior.
Bottom line MOST chickens have had real aggression bred out of them over the years. Domesticated backyard birds are not aggressive by nature, Although a broody hen or game fowl can become aggressive but that is by natures design and their instincts primarily.
So choose freely on the breeds that you want for your backyard flock. Its best to start with basic chicken breeds that are strong and hearty with a good immune system.
