Dangerously thrill-seeking brain-damaged chickens

Everything you read about chickens, especially ex-battery chickens, tells you they crave familiarity. You can't give them too much space or toys to begin with, or they freak out. You have to give them layers' mash, because it's what they're used to, or they might starve themselves to death. You have to watch their drinking very carefully, because they're not used to any kind of bowl or top-hat waterer, and they might dehydrate. (That last one is probably why waterers are usually red, to encourage them to peck at them.)

It's true, up to a point.( Read more... )