Aggression

[AnchoredHomestead]

One of our chickens has recently become aggressive to my daughter and myself. We have thought it to be a she, have it on coop cam in a nesting box… but it is attacking unprovoked and leaving beak marks. We’ve tried some domination strategies but it is still doing it sporadically. Is it possible Daisy is not a she? Pic for reference. 5 mo old Buff Orpington.

 

[sourland]

It's a pullet. Not certain what is causing the attitude, but I would quash it before it escalates.

 

[Geena]

She looks a little poofed up in the picture. Is it possible she's broody?
Does your daughter hand feed them?

 

[AnchoredHomestead]

She looks a little poofed up in the picture. Is it possible she's broody?
Does your daughter hand feed them?

We’ve handled them daily from day 1 after hatching. This one has always been content in a lap on a blanket getting a lot of attention. Hand fed, will accept her feet being washed, etc. Very odd behavior for her. I haven’t seen her laying on anything or spending an unusual amount of time in the nesting box. No one is pecking her as she is the largest and most developed. And she doesn’t have any wounds or illness. We also don’t have a rooster so she isn’t being dominated by anyone. I’m at a loss but know it’s breaking my daughters heart as she’s now scared of her!