02-22-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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NATURAL HISTORY OF THE CHICKNE (from CRR) It is important to understand how chickens live in the wild and to provide them with an environment that meets those instinctive physical and psychological needs as closely as possible. Chickens are all descended from Tropical Jungle Fowl are adapted to living in a natural habitat that is spacious, richly vegetated, diverse and warm. This presents a particular challenge in a small urban setting in a cold climate like Minnesota. Flocks have a highly developed social structure and depend on each for companionship and security. Naturalists have observed that they can recognize and remember 180 other individual flock members. They are ground dwelling birds. Most are capable of low flight in short distances, smaller birds can fly higher and farther. In the wild they roost in trees at dusk before they sleep or to escape predators. They hide their nests in cavities in the ground. The majority of their waking hours are spent active, wide ranging, grazing, foraging for food- plants, bugs and occasionally small rodents. In their natural state. They typically travel 1/2 mile from their roost each day. In the wild, they are never over crowded- if the population becomes to dense, members will break off into subgroups and spread out. They move on from one area to another which allows food sources to regenerate and their waste is not concentrated in one place and it can decompose without health risk to the flock. Roosters alert the flock to danger, find food and call the hens to it and stand guard as they eat. They select and build nests and will even participate in caring for the young. They also act as peace keepers to intervene in disputes that can develop between flock members. Roosters will start to crow and display courting behaviors at about 6 months of age. It is essential to gently handle a rooster on a daily basis to establish that you are the flock leader (Alpha) and maintain a well socialized companion. The hens spend their time scratching for food, dust bathing, preening, playing and napping. Hens begin to lay eggs at about 6 months of age. Hen in the wild produce only a few clutches of eggs a year for the sole purpose of reproduction. Domesticated hens have been bred to lay one egg a day but by 18 month of age, egg laying frequency generally diminishes and many adult or senior hens stop laying altogether. Chickens are sociable, cheerful and intelligent creatures who can form lifelong bonds with each other and other species including humans, dogs and cats. Because of their keen intelligence and instinctive physical activity, they need a stimulating environment that mimics as much as possible the rich and diverse world nature designed them to enjoy.