I’ve noticed several times over the years that our hens sometimes act in ways that can only mean one thing: They obviously have not read any of the reference books that purport to explain how chickens behave.
The latest case in point involves their appetite, or lack thereof. The experts say chickens need more feed in the winter because they require extra calories to keep themselves warm. At first, this proved to be the case with our little flock. But this winter, the hens have been eating less — not more — than they do during the warmer months.
I am inclined to worry about “the girls,” and this flouting of the rules has given me cause for concern. But on the plus side, Snow, Nellie and Hope do not appear to be underweight. They are behaving normally in all other respects. And they’ve certainly been eating enough of their feed to sustain themselves.
The irony is that, as the days grow longer and temperatures climb higher than they should be in February, our hens suddenly have developed heartier appetites than they had as recently as two weeks ago, when it was colder. For example, I had to give them extra feed yesterday afternoon because they had gobbled up the rations that had proved to be excessive in January.
So just as the hens reduced their consumption earlier this season, when they should have been eating more, now they are hungrier, even as unseasonably warm weather would suggest that they should be eating less.
I think the lesson, in these situations, is to view the experts as people who know a lot, but not everything. Like other animals, chickens are individuals. Perhaps their eating habits change as they age, and the reference books fail to take that into account. Or maybe some chickens, like some people, are plain old contrarians.
The latest case in point involves their appetite, or lack thereof. The experts say chickens need more feed in the winter because they require extra calories to keep themselves warm. At first, this proved to be the case with our little flock. But this winter, the hens have been eating less — not more — than they do during the warmer months.
I am inclined to worry about “the girls,” and this flouting of the rules has given me cause for concern. But on the plus side, Snow, Nellie and Hope do not appear to be underweight. They are behaving normally in all other respects. And they’ve certainly been eating enough of their feed to sustain themselves.
The irony is that, as the days grow longer and temperatures climb higher than they should be in February, our hens suddenly have developed heartier appetites than they had as recently as two weeks ago, when it was colder. For example, I had to give them extra feed yesterday afternoon because they had gobbled up the rations that had proved to be excessive in January.
So just as the hens reduced their consumption earlier this season, when they should have been eating more, now they are hungrier, even as unseasonably warm weather would suggest that they should be eating less.
I think the lesson, in these situations, is to view the experts as people who know a lot, but not everything. Like other animals, chickens are individuals. Perhaps their eating habits change as they age, and the reference books fail to take that into account. Or maybe some chickens, like some people, are plain old contrarians.
True. Especially the contrarian part.
ReplyDeleteVery much so!
ReplyDelete