Fowl Behavior: Bullies in the Barnyard

Monday, March 21, 2011

Bullies in the Barnyard

I spent Saturday morning with my friend Ruth on her 5-acre farm looking for examples of the pecking order. She has at least 50 hens and four roosters. I give credit to wildlife photographers. They have to keep the camera running at all times because the action happens unexpectedly and it can't be scripted.

I was hoping for examples of roosters bullying hens, and I caught the goats bullying each other. It is very instinctive for animals and humans, unfortunately, to pick on the weakest. This goat has been sick and the other goats can sense that she is weaker.

Animal instinct, what animals teach us about bullying, the pecking order, and bully prevention and awareness are covered in my new presentation for students - "Rulers of The Roost: What animals teach us about getting along."

Take a look at this video.

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What educators say about Fowl Behavior

"Susan’s presentation shed new light on the impact of bullying for my students. Mooey’s featherless back was a startling representation of the damage bullying can do. Students saw how chickens bullied the weaker chickens and experienced empathy for the chickens.

"The genuine emotion in Susan’s presentation, coming in part from her personal story of being bullied, makes the presentation effective in raising awareness about bullying,which will make students think twice before they bully others or stand by watching someone be bullied."
Marian A. Dyer, Social Studies Chairperson, Littleton High School, Littleton, Mass.

"Thank you for your time spent with my classes. Six classes is a lot, but your enthusiasm carried throughout the day!"

"A school administrator noticed that you have control over the class. If any side conversations started, you immediately picked up on it and asked if they had a question or comment. It’s a very important skill for a speaker, especially when dealing with teens.

“I was impressed by the fact that your presentation resulted in the “coolest kid” speaking out about being bullied in middle school. This was huge, especially since he is now looked at as 'cool' in high school."

Brenda Fisher, Health Teacher, Greater Lowell Technical High School

"Fowl Behavior is a high-quality presentation on a topic that needs to be addressed throughout all ages. Susan gave great information that was very interesting for the students."
Jeff Scott, health and physical education teacher, Ayer High School, Ayer, Mass.

"Thank you so much for your presentation "Rulers of the Roost" yesterday. The children were very excited to meet Mooey the chicken and to hear what you had to say about bullying. They continued to talk about it even after the program had concluded."
Paul McQuilkin, Principal, Wyman Elementary School Woburn, Mass.

"Middle school students are among the most challenging students to engage, especially if the speaker is a stranger. Susan caught their attention as students entered the classroom, started talking with them about why she brought the chicken to class, and kept them engaged with her stories about being a victim of bullying, slides and of course, Mooey, the chicken. The analogy really made them think about bullying and how they can use their intellect over their instinct. I can't wait to invite her back next year.
Lisa Corcoran, health teacher at Chapman Middle School, Weymouth, Mass.

"By using the natural social life of a chicken, Susan has opened a door to discussing bullying with children in a concrete, non-threatening way that helps them to become kinder and more understanding. The kids had good conversation about it afterwards."
Debi Keller, director The Cheshire Barn (preschool), Harvard, Mass.

"The presentation was great--very moving. It made a connection between the similarity between chickens being bullied and how humans are bullied."
Sara Lohmeyer, Chapman Middle School teacher

"The program is a creative way to demonstrate the anti-bully concept. The live chicken captivated the preschool audience and brought the message to life." Caroline Hankour, teacher at The Cheshire Barn

"I loved the photo of you when you were in high school. It really showed the impact of being different."
Wyman elementary school teacher

What tweens and teens say about Fowl Behavior

Many students give this feedback: "I liked the live chicken."

"It shows that humans are not the only ones being picked on. It's not the normal bullying lecture, so it's different and stands out. Seeing the people who get bullied (Susan and the chicken) shows that people who get bullied aren't alone."

"Great visual aids and passion for the topic."

"Really interesting and a new approach to the topic. Kids in particular can really connect to it."

"It related bullying instincts to chicken instincts of pecking order and people."

"Very interesting. Made me think. I liked how Susan applied 'her story' too."

"Very interactive. It compares and contrasts the similarities between humans and chickens. It made me have sympathy for the victims.

"The visuals were engaging."

"It showed the connection between chickens and humans during bullying and in all of life."

"I liked how Susan compared us to chickens to show us our flaws."

"I liked how it was interactive and she worked with us, the students."

"Thank you for the presentation."

"I liked the use of the live chicken to show the effects of bullying."

Invite Susan the EGG-ducator to your school

Rulers of the Roost, What Chickens Teach us About Fowl Behavior is an interactive multi-media program that includes a visit from Mooey, the bullied chicken.

The dynamic presentation is customized for each age group from preschool to high school.

Parents and staff can attend the optional workshop, "Teach Your Children Well: Stories From a Recovered Bully Mom." See more information at http://www.raisingable.com/

Contact Susan the Egg-ducator to bring Rulers of the Roost to your school. By email: Susan [at] susantordella [dot] net, telephone 978-772-3930.