- Thread starter
- #21
Thank you for sharing!! Wow, what a wonderful story! I am sorry she had to be put down, she sounds like a butt-kicker!! I really appreciate you taking the time to type this up, wonderful storyI recently had to put down my 1 RIR hen due to reproductive issues (she was old), but she was one bad@ss hen! Keep in mind this is just my story of 1 hen, but still. I got her as an adult from a rescue farm that got her from an abuse/neglect situation, so she was never the kind of chicken to hop on your lap, but she wasn't mean or aggressive - just wanted her space. We have gone through two head hens in our pecking order, and our RIR was always a strong second mate. While our other two head hens were very bossy and controlling to everyone, they always had a respect toward this RIR and woul never try to peck her or take her food. While the other head hens would be pretty brutal to new entries to the flock, my RI was stern but fair - never going over th top to be mean to young pullets or assert her power. And also, this RIR was an absolutely AMAZING hawk-spotter! She was spot one sitting in a tree 5 yards away and would just be there growling at it. She was letting the flock know there was a predator and they would all hide. Who knows how many times she saved their lives!
People say a lot of negative things about RIRs, but I think they are great (besides aggressive roosters). Maybe they aren't a lap chicken usually, but they have amazing instincts, lay a lot of eggs, and are just very practical and pleasant chickens to have. Enjoy them![]()
![Smiling face with hearts :smiling_face_with_3_hearts: 🥰](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f970.png)