Aggressive hen!!

[cotoletta]

I have 2 hens. 18 months old. One of my hens is so aggressive with me she attacks me but is perfectly fine with the other hen. It’s some out of nowhere and has been going on for a month or so. She bit me and drew blood and regularly runs up behind me to attack. I laugh writing this but I’m worried she might attack my children. Any advice?

 

[Isadora]

Are you sure she is a hen?

 

[sixlittlechickens]

You could try wearing heavy gloves/coat/etc for protection and handling the hen that way to allow her to get used to you.

 

[neo71665]

I'd lock her down for a week or two and knock her down in the pecking order. She sees you as head bird and is trying to challenge you for your spot.

 

[cotoletta]

I'd lock her down for a week or two and knock her down in the pecking order. She sees you as head bird and is trying to challenge you for your spot.

What do you mean by lock her down?

 

[cotoletta]

You could try wearing heavy gloves/coat/etc for protection and handling the hen that way to allow her to get used to you.

It’s come out of nowhere, I’m not sure what’s happened to her. I’ll try handle more to get used to me again

 

[neo71665]

What do you mean by lock her down?

Put her in something like a dog crate with her own source of feed and water in the pen with the others. Her not being able to get out and do what she wants will knock her down a few pegs in the pecking order but with her still being with the rest of the flock they will still take her back.

 

[cotoletta]

Put her in something like a dog crate with her own source of feed and water in the pen with the others. Her not being able to get out and do what she wants will knock her down a few pegs in the pecking order but with her still being with the rest of the flock they will still take her back.

Thank you, I’ll certainly try this!

 

[sixlittlechickens]

It’s come out of nowhere, I’m not sure what’s happened to her. I’ll try handle more to get used to me again

Is she broody?
Did you get a dog or anything that could be considered threatening to her?
Have there been any other changes that could have been "triggering" to her?
That might help with figuring out a solution.

 

[cotoletta]

We have no other pets. She’s not broody no.. it’s so strange. If I’m walking away from her she will run and attack me! She’s done it today as I was walking away to fill up her water. It sounds pathetic but it’s quite frightening sometimes