I have 3 New Hampshire Red Hens that are 7 weeks old tomorrow and one of them is very aggressive. It comes to my hand boldly when I go to give them fresh water, add more feed, give treats, etc. Then tonight, when I was doing the daily chores she did this so I left my hand in the brooder and she bit me repeatedly. As hard as she could in a very aggressive posture and was going to jump at my hand also. Is this normal or is it possibly a rooster? I bought them sexed from Meyer Hatchery. It looks just like the other birds, no rooster-like features. I realize sexing is not a perfect science, but I guess I really want to know if hens are like this also. Any help/experiences would be very welcomed and appreciated. Thank you. Sal
It could still be female. Like people, some chickens are just, um, not so nice.... Let's hope it was just frightened or something.
I would think so! I have one hen who randomly comes up to me and starts attacking my foot like her life depends on it, tries to punch holes in my shoes, flapping her wings and puffing up her chest. I don't get it, but I guess it's her nature. A few of my hens also tend to nip my skin when they're eating out of my hand.
One of my hens bites the tar out of me if I attempt to pick her up. One day I made the mistake of petting her while she was in the nest box. Bad idea... OUCH!
I had one that was a serious biter. Called her Peckers for a while. But she turned out to be a girl. She's my Alpha Hen and will bite if I offer treats out of my hand. I don't think she means to be such a biter but is just very curious and agressive. Otherwise, she's a sweet bird. Get's along with her sisters just fine. No pecking. And lays beautiful eggs 6 days a week. Don't give up yet.
Grab her/he and tap them on the head a few times like chickens do. If it struggles hold them some more and give them a few more taps on the head. Repeat if they keep pecking you. You want them to know you are the Alpha. No one messes with the Alpha and especially when Alpha bring you food and treats.
One way to get the chicken to calm down is to pick it up and hold it so its lying on its back... usually works with me.
Some hens are just plain out mean lol Nothing has worked for my almost 3 yr old hen named Krispy. That birds just got fight in her! I've tried: Picking her up and petting her Picking her up and carrying her under my arm Picking her up taping her on the head(as a poster said) it just pisses her off more when I put her down Chasing her down trying to be "top dawg" which she just turns and flogs the hell out of me And several other various things that haven't worked. We've just accepted each other for who they are and have out daily battles out in the yard. I usually get the lead with picking her up like a baby ruffling her feathers and talking to her like a 8 month old baby just ticking her off more LOL I then put her down then the jumping,clucking and scraping the ground like a bull begins. All in all I'm the one who comes out bloody but god I love that hen!
I had a RIR (PR) that was a bit of a biter. I started grabbing her, picking her up and talking her for a walk away from the rest of the birds. At first she fought and bit me. After a while, she mellowed out and now, she doesn't bite anymore. Needless to say, she is my Alpha Female. Sometimes she will get a little aggressive with my EE, you is the youngest and lowest on the chicken seniority list.
