run
run on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 4 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on run in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around run, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
Neurological Chicken (Trigger Warning)
## Neurological Chicken: A Cluck-Tastic Conundrum (Trigger Warning) Our community is buzzing about a truly perplexing case: a four-year-old hen, affectionately nicknamed Neurological Chicken, exhibiting concerning neurological symptoms. Found yesterday unable to stand, this top hen presented with an overly red, damaged comb, signs of overheating despite shade, and significantly curled toes. Odd head and beak movements, including a chomping noise during feeding, further complicated the picture. While initial observations ruled out Marek's disease and egg binding, botulism toxicity or a severe vitamin deficiency are currently the leading suspicions, and thankfully, there’s been some improvement today! For those facing similar eye-related concerns, our article "Chickens one eye looks weird" offers additional insights into potential causes and observations.
Weird behavior
## Rooster Rendezvous: Re-establishing the Flock Order So, you’ve got a rooster causing a bit of a cluck-tastic commotion? It's a surprisingly common scenario! Many keepers find their roosters, usually peaceful, suddenly exhibiting unusual behavior after a hen emerges from broodiness. As /u/NightmareAholic01 discovered, a rooster may briefly chase a hen who’s recently left the nesting box – a playful (though startling!) way of reasserting dominance or reminding her to rejoin the flock’s social dynamics. Thankfully, the hen appears unharmed, and is still accessing food and water—a great sign. This behavior is often considered normal, a temporary display of fowl play as the flock hierarchy readjusts.
One hen won’t lay eggs
## The Case of the Silent Hen: A Cluck-tastic Mystery! So, one of your feathered friends has decided to take a break from egg-laying? You’re not alone! It’s a common conundrum for chicken keepers, and we’re here to help you crack the case. /u/imhereforthesnax is facing just this: a hen who’s gone quiet, even after diligent mite, worm, and nutrient checks. The rooster’s lost interest too – a curious detail! You’ve ruled out secret nesting spots with clever experiments, so what *could* be the culprit? We’ll explore potential reasons for this sudden silence, from molting to underlying health issues, offering practical troubleshooting steps to get your hen back on track.
Abandoned Chick
Meet Abandoned Chick, a truly *cluck-tastic* little mystery! Found wandering solo on a street, this sweet chick’s origins are largely unknown—though we suspect a Brahma lineage, given its appearance. Currently super-imprinted on humans, it’s a devoted shadow, happily foraging nearby as long as we’re present. We’ve dewormed and given a mite check, and thankfully, it shows no initial interest in our existing flock of seven chickens, which we plan to introduce gradually via a separate enclosure. Determining age and, crucially, sex remains a priority—roosters aren't permitted here, so fingers crossed for a lovely hen! If you're curious about chicken breed identification in general, check out our article, "What kind of breed is he?". We're hoping our community can help us unlock this little one's story.