Aggressive Chicken due to Lowest Pecking Order

[localchix10]

I have an aggressive chicken who continually attacks me and my husband (sole caregivers) when we go into their run. She pecks at our legs and on some occasions if we are in there a while, she uses her feet to come after us. I have been observing the chickens to get a sense of where this aggression comes from and I noticed that the other chickens peck at her head. She doesn't have any injuries from the pecking, so she's okay health wise. I'm not sure how to handle this situation. I think she feels threatened by us. If anyone has any suggestions, they would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[chickens really]

Are you sure it's not a Cockerel?....

 

[aart]

Tho this isn't about a low bird, it still would probably work:

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.

 

[lilofthestars]

I read you can put Vicks Vapor Rub on her head and the other chickens won't pack it in no more. I've not tried that but I did read about it.