Does A Full Moon Alter A Chicken's Behaviour?

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:38 am

Does A Full Moon Alter A Chicken's Behaviour?

After 2 unsuccessful attempts to reintroduce a broody hen back into the flock whilst free ranging, and with her chicks about to leave for their new home, I thought the time was ripe last night as dusk descended and what I thought her fellow "adult" companions looked sound asleep so I could pop her in with them...

As soon I locked the door, the allegedly asleep hen sprung up and went straight for her comb (which she had past damaged) in a pecking frenzy and the rooster joined in the assault and pulled out a tail feather; I thought that roosters were supposed to look after his girls???

The poor hen under attack ran to the door and I opened it enough so that she could squeeze out and run back to the hutch with her chicks. The rooster and hen in the coop started a eerily maniacal cackle for a solid 1/2 hour into the dark, which prompted a phone call from a neighbour wondering what all the noise was about and if there was a fox about.

I know there is a pecking order and integration can be downright nasty, but they were both particularly vicious to this poor hen. My husband suggested that it was bad timing with the full moon...

PS
Please no :twisted:

vampire, werewolf, comments.

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

fullmoons effect everything - animals birds tides and water courses

but remember the hen was 'away' for quite a while therefore she is the bottom ranked now AND a full moon means it is very light at night - chooks would be able to see very well - well enough to launch an attack on what they see as a new bird

and NO it does not effect those things that will not be mentioned here by me

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:44 pm

Thanks, soozorps,

I really thought they would do her in last night. The hideous cackling was as bad as the attack, sort of "Let us out, so we can finish her off..." Definitely, won't

attempt such foolish things again at full moon :twisted:

The post script was intended for the person of vampire chook notoriety.

Brattles · **Joined:** Tue Feb 07, 2012 1:51 pm **Posts:** 2

Every full moon my rooster crows ALL night long he can go for several hours non stop it drives me nuts but he is a family pet so we just have to put up with it

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:44 pm

Brattles,

How close are your neighbours? Do they complain when full moon comes around?

The cackling continued last night, it was rather unnerving.

wickedwings · **Posted:** Wed Feb 08, 2012 3:58 pm

With the current prohibition on talking about my vampire chickens I have nothing of value to add!

kwinagi · **Joined:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:58 pm **Posts:** 236

the most likely effect on the behaviour is the fact that its not totally dark and therefore the birds still can see each other to peck at eadch other etc. as has been pointed out the hen was separated so the pecking order needs to be re established, and hte extra light is merely allowing them to continue this behaviour into the night.

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2012 5:55 am

Thanks, kwinagi,

The rooster and hen in question have both have gone from being tame and lovable to downright aggressive especially to the poor mother hen, knows where her weak points were and full on assault and attack. The mother hen spent most of the day hiding in a corner of the hutch where her chicks were and was rather timid.

Do chooks have psychotic episodes?

polishl · **Joined:** Tue Nov 24, 2009 11:49 am **Posts:** 65

When reintroducing a hen back into the flock I use a wire bottle crate. Place it over the new addition (providing her with water etc) and the others get use to her. On the basis of 'familiarity breed contempt' it works for me.

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:16 pm

Thanks, polishlady,

Will borrow a cage of a neighbour and give it a go.

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