Aggressive Behavior

[muddchicks]

I have 3 Rhode Island Red hens, about 1yr and 3 months. We've always been able to handle them but recently they are attacking our feet and if we try to pet one, the other will peck us, even drawing blood. Has anyone had this happen too? If so, is there anything I can do? I heard clipping their wings would help. I've tried that and it didn't.
Help!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I’ve had the worst luck with RIRs. They were very aggressive and started cannibalizing their sweet flock mates. Unfortunately, I had to cull mine. A local farmer took them......

 

[rosemarythyme]

If they peck you, peck them back - jab them in the back or base of neck with a finger or two.

 

[aart]

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

Chickenspeak! @muddchicks, if you try these techniques, please post back and let us know how they work for you. I am always very interested in animal behavior, particularly animal-human interface and communication. Thank you! I had never heard of wing clipping as a deterrent for aggression, only to keep them from flying over fences. Did you clip one wing or two?