Psychology of a chicken
Chickens are inquisitive, intelligent and friendly and will continually keep you amused. Invariably they will come over and check what you are doing – so be careful you do not step on them. Bantam breeds are also reputed to be smarter than chickens, and they are certainly faster movers.
TYPES OF COMB
All chickens have a comb on their head. It is a fleshy growth and those on males are usually larger than ones on hens. The shapes and colours of combs vary from one breed to another. Many are red, but some are purple. Combs are not just present to give a chicken status and to make it more attractive to the opposite sex – they have a functional role in helping to cool a chicken during periods of high temperature. Incidentally, because blood is able to flow freely through a comb, it makes them extra sensitive during cold weather, especially if they are large. Coating a comb in petroleum jelly helps to provide cold-weather protection. There are several types of comb, including:
Rose
The comb lies almost flat on top and is broad, solid and very fleshy. The main part has a curved surface, with small, round protuberances. It ends in a single spike at the back of the head, called a leader.
Single
Thin and attached to the beak and along the skull. On the top there are 5–6 deep grooves that create several sharp points along the comb’s top. This is the most common type of comb.
Strawberry
The comb is very low and is known as strawberry because of its shape. It has a rough surface.
Horn
Known also as the ‘V-shaped comb’, it has two pieces that look like horns, joined at their base.
Pea
Low, with three ridges. The middle ridge is slightly higher and larger than the other two.
Buttercup
The comb is cup shaped with regularly spaced points, resembling a crown. It is finely textured.
LEARNING THE PECKING ORDER – AND THIS MEANS YOU!
As you learn to live with chickens you will find that they put you as their leader – top in the pecking order! They will have decided that, as you provide their food, you will be revered. They will approach you in various ways, depending on their gender.
Cocks (also known as roosters): The males will approach you cautiously, with direct eye contact and a slow flap of their wings.
Hens: They might greet you in the same way as a cock bird, especially if they are feeling perky. This might be accompanied by the bird flapping her wings. If particularly friendly, she may also stand on your shoes and peck against your trousers. This is usually an approach that indicates she wants to be picked up. Unfortunately, this extra attention may create jealousy among the other hens.
Squabbling hens
Occasionally, squabbles occur between hens when they are not sure of the pecking order. Do not use your hands to separate them; rather, gently spray them with clean water. If further squabbles occur, it is usually best to rehome one of them.
Introducing new hens to an established group
This can be tricky but folklore suggests there are several ways to prevent trouble arising, including:
Wait until night, when it is pitch dark.
Rub garlic over the hen that is about to be introduced.
Keeping chickens
What is involved?
Before keeping chickens it is essential to understand what is involved in terms of time, initial and long-term cost, and the local and national regulations you will have to comply with. Below is a checklist of chicken-keeping questions to consider, ranging from whether it is worth the trouble and expense to what the ramifications of keeping chickens in close proximity to neighbours might be. Always get the goodwill of neighbours before keeping chickens.
CHICKEN CHECKLIST
Costs and results – is it worth it?
Do not expect to make a fortune out of keeping your own chickens or even to save a great deal of money on shopping bills – but you will be assured about the source of the eggs, their freshness, the foods which produced them and that the chickens have led a contented life. Eggs are one of the cleanest possible foods, the shell protecting the contents from dirt and germs.
Optimum number of chickens
Six hens will keep a family in eggs throughout the year. If you have a cock bird with them, this is about the number of hens that he can manage.
Eggs or meat?
Most backyard chicken enthusiasts keep hens solely for the eggs they produce. A list of the best egg-layers is given on page 8. Chickens that are raised for both meat and eggs are also listed on page 8.
Laying life of a hen
Pure-bred breeds can live for up to ten years (depending on the breed); this is much longer than hybrids, which often die before they reach five years of age. Most breeds start to lay eggs when 18–22 weeks old, but remember that the number of eggs decreases as a hen ages. Finally, it becomes uneconomic to keep her. Most hens will have reached the end of their economic life by the age of five.
Are chickens noisy?
Unless you have a cock bird in with your chickens (and it is not necessary to do this if all you want to do is to produce eggs), the noise level is not obtrusive. They will, however, make a fuss if alarmed and under attack. Also, some hens make a noise after laying an egg.
Can I keep just one chicken?
You can, but chickens are social creatures and need company. If you have just one chicken, it will be lonely and look to you to provide its social life! Keeping 3–6 chickens is about right to cater for their social activities.