any insight to my hen's odd behavior?

I've got a 1 1/2 year old Speckled Sussex hen named Mandy. Due to her behavior though, we call her "Manly". She is one of a flock of 12 hens,(and a duck) with no roo at the present time. I know that sometimes when a flock is all girls, one hen may take on the role as the rooster. However, her actions are confusing me. The girls have a run, with access to the yard. When I first enter the run, it is almost a guarantee that she will peck my foot, and hard. Yesterday, she broke the skin! Usually, my first reaction is to give her the boot, and that is usually enough to scare her off. At first I thought she was just getting a little too excited for treats, which is every evening, since that is when she starting doing this. But now it is every time I enter the run. At times even charging me. However when I am out in the yard she is different. She follows me around every where, like a puppy dog, even squatting like she would for a roo if I get close to her. I've also notice that the faster I walk in the run, the more likely she will go after my feet/legs. She is not aggressive or bossy to any of the other hens. Also, the times when we have had a roo, she did not act like this.  I've very confused about her Jekyll and Hyde personality. Any one know what could be going on that little brain of hers?  

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Originally Posted by sourland 

I'm not certain that even they know what is going on in their little brains.  It sounds as if she has decided for some reason that she needs to defend her territory ( the pen) against you.  Rather than kicking at or shoving her, I would net her with a short handled fishing net and carry her around while doing chores.  They hate being netted - her behavior should improve rapidly.

I do have a net. What's weird, is she will let me pick her up, without having to chase her down. She is always coming up to me. Should I still net her, even if I don't need too? I don't like being mean to her, kind of just a knee jerk reaction to kick when she attacks.

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Originally Posted by sourland 

The kicking reinforces her aggression.  Netting should make her uncomfortable without reinforcing her need to 'strike back'.

ok, I'll give it a try. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Maynard88 

Your hen is pretty aggressive! I did not meet the hens with such behavior and hope that I will not face this problem in the future.

___________

family tree maker
 

I know, but not all the time, which makes it hard to be mad at her. She sometimes reminds me of our aggressive roo that we had. Of course, she is not nearly as bad as he was. It so weird that she does not act like this when we do have a roo, though. 

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Originally Posted by gryeyes 

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Originally Posted by yomama 

I know, but not all the time, which makes it hard to be mad at her. She sometimes reminds me of our aggressive roo that we had. Of course, she is not nearly as bad as he was. It so weird that she does not act like this when we do have a roo, though. 

Not at all odd!  In the absence of the rooster, a hen with seniority is at the top of the pecking order.  With a rooster present, she's not the top bird any more.

You're right. I guess I meant that she is so off and on. I know that she has taken on the roo role, but why is she so Jekyll and Hyde? Is that the hen side of her coming out when she is not being aggressive?