[DrVickyS]

Hi everyone,

I am a poultry scientist at SRUC and in April 2015 we will be running a free  course on poultry behaviour and welfare, focussing on the back yard chicken.

What would you like to hear about in our course?  We are already covering behaviour patterns of chickens, the senses, welfare and ethics, ways to assess your birds' welfare, welfare problems of commone production systems (commercial and hobby flocks) and emergency killing, transport and slaughter.

I can't cover nutrition of chickens (that is a whole other course!  ) but any thoughts related to behaviour appreciated.

There will be a 'landing page' that you can sign up for the course soon, on Coursera's website, if it sounds of interest to you.

Thanks for your help.

Vicky

[lord flynn]

awesome, would love to. I was looking at the HNC and MSc on your website the other day, unfortunately can't afford the fees (already have a PhD so probably being greedy!).

I would like to see something on the natural behaviour of cock birds and their body language-and if there's any way of minimising the risk of them becoming aggressive to humans.

[bloomer]

no idea but please post a link when the course goes live id love to attend...

[ellied]

Hierarchical changes when new stock or ageing/dying/sales alter established order.  I am watching and managing several flock changes and the dynamic is fascinating but research data would be good please.

[Mammyshaz]

I'd like to know what is considered normal behaviour which can be mistaken for illness or normal changes. Such times as broodiness, bullying, the moult etc. probably not relevant to many but a big help to the beginner.

[ladyK]

Just like Ellied I'd be very interested in learning more about hierarchical behaviour.
I have watched with endless fascination (and concern) a (lone) chick growing up and it's troubles integrating with the flock, and more recently introducing new birds to the flock and I would love to understand better what I observe.

[devonlady]

I think that chicken behaviour is just the same as any animal behaviour (including human) in that "strangers" are perceived  as a threat and, according to species is ignored, bullied or driven out!
Left alone things sort themselves out though it grieves us in the process. I introduced a new bird yesterday into my flock and the poor dear was beaten up dreadfully, spent all day hiding in the brambles but, I know that in three or four days it will be part of the flock.
Our instinct is to defend the newcomer and SLAP those bullies but this probably hinders the process.

[shygirl]

is it an on-line course?

[ladyK]

When I said I'd be interested in learning more about hierarchical behaviour, I actually meant learning about behavioural rituals (for example I have heard of cockerels 'waltzing') so that I'd be able to better understand  what is happening (rather than just guess) when I see behaviours like displays of dominance / threats / bullying etc. I find the more I actually understand what is going on (and therefore able to better judge what it is 'normal' under the circumastances) the less I feel the urge to intervene.

[ellied]

Likewise I have successfully integrated new stock several times now but it is still a fascinating subject and useful to know what academic research makes of the same situation I see.  And there are plenty folk haven't done it or do it different to me and maybe I'd get new ideas too.  I never put a new hen in alone for instance, always 2 or more to avoid that battering.  I've just added 4 pol Marans a month ago, and last weekend 2 CCL and 2 Scots Greys on the same day, all growers but different sized pairs.  No beatings, an odd peck or chase but nothing more. With 4 of the established hens in moult those are less bothered too.

There was a recent 3 part BBC documentary on cat behaviour which I watched with interest tho their spectacular discovery about farm cat females sharing litters I had observed about 4 years earlier when I had 2 siste s give birth and one of their retained 6 month old daughters kept climbing in with the kittens too.  Nearly had kittens myself!  But maybe worth knowing in advance..

PS for the course suggestions perhaps differences in flocks with and without a cockerel present.  And possibly where more than one cockerel is sharing a flock of hens.  Territory, share or divide, different/same ages, related/not..

Oh yes and red mite treatments/techniques if anything new in that battle!

[Fleecewife]

Where is the course, online or at a college?

If it's online I will be very interested; if it requires me to go somewhere, then I can't do that.  Timing is bad for travel as it's lambing time !

As well as the topics covered I would be interested to know about poultry behaviour when a predator appears - the response I see is panic and scattering - it would be good to understand that, and if it's ever successful, for example in a forest setting.  Primitive sheep do it, presumably because if they scatter then only one will be caught - doesn't seem to work with the fox and hens.

[lord flynn]

Coursera courses are all online-there's a huge amount to choose from

[Fleecewife]

Coursera courses are all online-there's a huge amount to choose from

Ooh thanks - I'll have a look.  I'll definitely want to do it then.

[funkyfish]

Sounds great!! I'd love to so it!

[madchickenlady]

Will definitely be signing up, and any other poultry courses that come up too.