6-week-old pullet suddenly aggressive to my daughter

[GoodGuinea]

My two kids have been raising some chicks that we bought from TSC. One pullet has become very aggressive to my daughter this week. My daughter is 12 years old, and has always been very gentle and responsible with animals, so I don't think it's anything she did. The pullet is a California White, and is a little bigger than our other chicks. It bites her fingers and arms, even when she is simply nearby. It doesn't go after my son in the same way at all, or anyone else.

I don't know whether it will help to handle the chick more, or if that will make it worse. My children have been handling them every day since we brought them home, and they've all been friendly until now. Any ideas?

 

[JadeFarms]

That’s odd that it just goes after your daughter. Are you sure it’s not a cockerel? You should post some pics

 

[reddogmaster2]

My two kids have been raising some chicks that we bought from TSC. One pullet has become very aggressive to my daughter this week. My daughter is 12 years old, and has always been very gentle and responsible with animals, so I don't think it's anything she did. The pullet is a California White, and is a little bigger than our other chicks. It bites her fingers and arms, even when she is simply nearby. It doesn't go after my son in the same way at all, or anyone else.

I don't know whether it will help to handle the chick more, or if that will make it worse. My children have been handling them every day since we brought them home, and they've all been friendly until now. Any ideas?

Ignore it, otherwise you may instill a fear in your little angel and it may develop into something overblown. Kids and Chickens will figure it out and everybody will be happy.

 

[keesmom]

Can you post a pic?

 

[GoodGuinea]

That’s odd that it just goes after your daughter. Are you sure it’s not a cockerel? You should post some pics

It does seem strange. I'm pretty sure it's a female. We have three pullets and one cockerel, and this one definitely isn't the cockerel. Here are a couple pics.

 

[GoodGuinea]

Can you post a pic?

Sure. Here are a couple.

 

[reddogmaster2]

It does seem strange. I'm pretty sure it's a female. We have three pullets and one cockerel, and this one definitely isn't the cockerel. Here are a couple pics.

Yeah, Cottonball might be just a bit soft in the head if you know what I mean.

Remind your daughter that animals are sometimes defensive and territorial but it is our jobs as humans to treat them with respect and kindness.

Tell her that she is smarter than Cottonball and she will have to figure out a way to win her over! (Watermelon and corn work well around our place!)

Good luck!

 

[keesmom]

Does your daughter tend to hand feed them?

 

[Folly's place]

When pecked, she can peck back! It's a 'peckpeckpeck', as fast as possible, just hard enough to be irritating to the chick. With new chickens, and new chicken owners, it's easy to mis- interpret behaviors, and let things get out of hand. This chick is being rude, and needs to behave better.
Mary

 

[GoodGuinea]

Does your daughter tend to hand feed them?

She doesn't. Do you think that would help?