6 month old leghorn pullet violently attacking me worse than rooster

[Bella the Chicken Lover]

So, when did this happen? If it just started, maybe(as long as she's not physically hurting other chickens bad), you could just give it another two or three days, and see how she is doing. If she isn't hurting the flock by then, you could probably leave her. If she doesn't...I would hate to have to separate one of my chickens from the flock(she may even get lonely), but if she was hurting them, I would maybe make a little enclosure inside the area where your flock is, and she will still be with them, but not be able to hurt them. It is just a suggestion, I have never had this problem before, so I'm not completely sure. Sorry, wish I had better advice.

 

[Purelychicks]

How many cockerels and roosters are in the pen? How many pullets and hens?

We have 10 hens, 1 rooster in one half of the coop. In their half we have 4 standard sized pullets, 1 bantam pullet. 1 standard sized cockerel, 1 bantam cockerel. (The bantams will be separated when older.)

 

[Nomadicus]

But my question is still why is she all of the sudden acting like this? She goes from friendliest out of ALL my chickens, to worse than a rooster.

Maybe it is chicken menopause? "Pun intended". I've got a Blue rooster that I'm not sure of the breed. It came as a mystery chick with an order of meat birds. For the longest time it was a pullet until one day it started crowing. And now it is the meanest thing on this side of town. It attacks roosters 4 times its size.

 

[Purelychicks]

Maybe it is chicken menopause? "Pun intended". I've got a Blue rooster that I'm not sure of the breed. It came as a mystery chick with an order of meat birds. For the longest time it was a pullet until one day it started crowing. And now it is the meanest thing on this side of town. It attacks roosters 4 times its size.

Well she’s laying eggs so I’m assuming it’s not a rooster

 

[Nomadicus]

Well she’s laying eggs so I’m assuming it’s not a rooster

Then it could be PBS... Pre Broody Syndrome? Sorry I couldn't help myself. I have never seed a chicken go crazy like this. Roosters yes, hens no.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Then it could be PBS... Pre Broody Syndrome? Sorry I couldn't help myself. I have never seed a chicken go crazy like this. Roosters yes, hens no.

Even my Shining Twins were not nearly this agressive before, during or after brooding with chicks to defend. And they were terrifying birds

 

[BarnyardChaos]

But my question is still why is she all of the sudden acting like this? She goes from friendliest out of ALL my chickens, to worse than a rooster.

I don't think anyone can answer that question, sadly. If it were typical behavior, then there might be a typical answer. But this is unusual. It sounds like everything else in her environment and handling is normal, the other birds are normal; the only clue I see is that her mother was aggressive so it's likely genetic.

When hens reach laying age, different hormones kick in. I'll bet one of these has triggered her behavior in an extreme way. I've seen changes in behavior many times when a pullet becomes a full-fledged hen and moves up a few ranks in the pecking order. Not aggression, mind you, but just... different. More confident. Less easily spooked. Melts into the flock dynamics instead of hovering around the edges. Then changes again when broody hormones flood her bloodstream; but again, this level of aggression is not normal even for a broody.

I understand the desire to know WHY this change in her behavior. You'd want to know how to correct it or prevent it from happening again. You worry it was something you've done to trigger it. But I don't think there's a clear explanation. She had no motive, she doesn't "hate" you, she's just a chicken. Don't worry about correcting it; you can't. She is what she is. Don't worry about preventing it in other chickens, because you can't predict what causes it. All other things are normal in your flock.... so there's no way you should blame yourself or worry about something you did wrong. You did NOTHING wrong.

Sadly, she cannot stay. As hard as it may be, you just need to come to grips with that reality. She's a danger to you and anyone else who might cross her path. Next time she might miss your eyelid and blind you in that eye instead. Do you really want your experience of raising chickens to be shadowed by fear of one bird? Would you let her destroy the peace of the whole flock, and put your own health and that of other people you love in danger? How enjoyable is it to collect eggs and mingle with your chickens, now? This isn't what you signed up for. And you do NOT have to tolerate it. Don't.

If you cannot bear the thought of putting her down yourself, or can't find someone else to handle it, then take her to a vet. I'll bet it doesn't have to be an avian vet - just explain that you need her euthanized, that's all. Just put her down in the most humane way possible so she doesn't suffer. You'll cry, allow yourself that time to grieve. {{{hugs}}}

 

[Purelychicks]

I don't think anyone can answer that question, sadly. If it were typical behavior, then there might be a typical answer. But this is unusual. It sounds like everything else in her environment and handling is normal, the other birds are normal; the only clue I see is that her mother was aggressive so it's likely genetic.

When hens reach laying age, different hormones kick in. I'll bet one of these has triggered her behavior in an extreme way. I've seen changes in behavior many times when a pullet becomes a full-fledged hen and moves up a few ranks in the pecking order. Not aggression, mind you, but just... different. More confident. Less easily spooked. Melts into the flock dynamics instead of hovering around the edges. Then changes again when broody hormones flood her bloodstream; but again, this level of aggression is not normal even for a broody.

I understand the desire to know WHY this change in her behavior. You'd want to know how to correct it or prevent it from happening again. You worry it was something you've done to trigger it. But I don't think there's a clear explanation. She had no motive, she doesn't "hate" you, she's just a chicken. Don't worry about correcting it; you can't. She is what she is. Don't worry about preventing it in other chickens, because you can't predict what causes it. All other things are normal in your flock.... so there's no way you should blame yourself or worry about something you did wrong. You did NOTHING wrong.

Sadly, she cannot stay. As hard as it may be, you just need to come to grips with that reality. She's a danger to you and anyone else who might cross her path. Next time she might miss your eyelid and blind you in that eye instead. Do you really want your experience of raising chickens to be shadowed by fear of one bird? Would you let her destroy the peace of the whole flock, and put your own health and that of other people you love in danger? How enjoyable is it to collect eggs and mingle with your chickens, now? This isn't what you signed up for. And you do NOT have to tolerate it. Don't.

If you cannot bear the thought of putting her down yourself, or can't find someone else to handle it, then take her to a vet. I'll bet it doesn't have to be an avian vet - just explain that you need her euthanized, that's all. Just put her down in the most humane way possible so she doesn't suffer. You'll cry, allow yourself that time to grieve. {{{hugs}}}

Uhmm, guys.. I think she’s a girl boy. She’s acting like a rooster now and I think she’s trying to crow what the heck. But she’s laying eggs.

 

[fluffycrow]

Uhmm, guys.. I think she’s a girl boy. She’s acting like a rooster now and I think she’s trying to crow what the heck. But she’s laying eggs.

What fo you mean by "acting like a rooster"? Crowing is something hens can do, it doesn't indicate a hermaphrodite

 

[Purelychicks]

What fo you mean by "acting like a rooster"? Crowing is something hens can do, it doesn't indicate a hermaphrodite

She’s growing spurs (like a rooster.) I know hens have spurs too btw. And trying to mount her sister, and making noises I don’t typically hear from hens, and flogging my feet.