6 month old leghorn pullet violently attacking me worse than rooster

[ecwdavis]

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.

The photo you posted made me say, 'that's a rooster'...

Have you seen her lay an egg? Or had a day when every hen laid an egg?

My Black Copper Maran Roo used to hang out in the nesting boxes, and would make the egg song when someone else laid an egg... I had to evict him a few times... he even made broody noises.

I would suggest taking a walking stick or the like with you into this birds area.

My roo respects the stick, after he charged me a couple of times and got poked - and he has big ol spurs...

Maybe there is a hormone imbalance going on. I would try isolating this bird, and try feeding a different food, see if that helps.

I would not rehome or sell this bird. If things do not improve, maybe a neighbor can turn it into dinner for you.

 

[fluffycrow]

The photo you posted made me say, 'that's a rooster'...

Have you seen her lay an egg? Or had a day when every hen laid an egg?

My Black Copper Maran Roo used to hang out in the nesting boxes, and would make the egg song when someone else laid an egg... I had to evict him a few times... he even made broody noises.

I would suggest taking a walking stick or the like with you into this birds area.

My roo respects the stick, after he charged me a couple of times and got poked - and he has big ol spurs...

Maybe there is a hormone imbalance going on. I would try isolating this bird, and try feeding a different food, see if that helps.

I would not rehome or sell this bird. If things do not improve, maybe a neighbor can turn it into dinner for you.

There is no chance this is a cockerel. Both age and coloration indicate pullet

 

[ThatUserNameAlreadyTaken]

I went back up there and she RIPPED my earring out of the hole. Looks like I have to get it re-pierced.

At six months, she's a bit old for Poisson Ala Bel Meneure, as peak age is 28 days old. But, she'll still probably work.

 

[RivaltKennels]

As a dog breeder, temperament is priority. I can tell you from experience sometimes one is born that just has a screw loose. The advice to cull the bird(read: dinner)is a wise one. You are in for trouble. If she doesn't hurt you bad enough to make the decision, she could hurt one of your other birds, or even a visitor. You will feel much worse in that situation.

 

[DLA]

In reading articles and watching a lot of Youtube of different breeds and so far the Leghorn has been reported to be a mean aggressive type, I’ve never personally has a leghorn but so far bad behavior

I grew up around lots of leghorns and I have to say that they are by far the most aggressive. Not saying they're all like that but they do seem to lean towards that more than other breeds from my experience, they also tend to be more skittish. I don't think it's worth the risk of losing an eye or being afraid to go in your coop. I also don't think it's worth the risk if a kid comes around and they get attacked if the chickens happen to be out.

 

[Saveria]

@Purelychicks , the behaviors you described reminded me of this article. It sounds like this happened to this particular bird somehow. This is an extreme case either way, but this might be where some of the behavior is coming from.

https://www.wildlifecenter.org/human-imprinting-birds-and-importance-surrogacy

"Human-imprinted birds have no fear of people, and this lack of fear can sometimes lead to aggression toward humans. It’s not unusual for an imprinted bird to exhibit territorial behaviors toward humans just as it would with members of its own species."

I don't think you did anything wrong, certain birds just have a strong tendency toward human imprinting and you won't know until it happens.

 

[jennifm2001]

She used to be so sweet and would sit in my lap, eat treats, and follow me everywhere up up til today. Now she’s flogging me, trying to “Spur” me, and making me bleed. She flew up to my face and grabbed my eyelid and I’m now bleeding. I don’t know what’s causing her to act like this someone please help! Is it their “teenage hormones?”

Is it possible she is jealous? Are you picking up and paying attention to the others?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

As a dog breeder, temperament is priority. I can tell you from experience sometimes one is born that just has a screw loose. The advice to cull the bird(read: dinner)is a wise one. You are in for trouble. If she doesn't hurt you bad enough to make the decision, she could hurt one of your other birds, or even a visitor. You will feel much worse in that situation.

What do you do with those puppies?

 

[Purelychicks]

Is it possible she is jealous? Are you picking up and paying attention to the others?

No, but the past day or 2 she’s back to her normal self.. just scared she may do the crazy hormone thing again.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

@Purelychicks , are you 100% certain your chicken laid at least one egg?