Alpha hen being a B#@%!!!

[CJ's chic chics]

So I just started with my little flock and my alpha hen Pearl is driving me crazy. At first all the other girls would go back in the coop but I always had to catch her. Now they all follow whatever she does wich now means chasing chickens every evening before we can go to bed. Last night when I tried to round them up she was aggressive and flying at me!!!! Most of the time she really is a sweet girl except when i try to get her to do something she doesn't want to do. Ugh!! What to do?????

 

[boz]

put her in another pin

 

[mixedbreeds]

Wait a little longer for them to go to roost mine are not roosting now till about 9:00 I have 75 chickens and they all go to bed on there own starts about 8:30 by 9:00 they are all in bed and I just lock them up.

 

[townchicks]

When I want my girls to go to bed early, I just throw some mealworms in the pen. Now I reach for the treat can and they run into the pen.

 

[HaliefromSC]

When I want my girls to go to bed early, I just throw some mealworms in the pen. Now I reach for the treat can and they run into the pen.

I do the same when I need to round up my gang except I use finely grated shredded cheddar cheese. They DO anything for cheese! All I have to do is shake the bag and here they come!

 

[JedJackson]

Yeah, I second what townchicks said. Give them treats to lure them into the coop, then lock 'em up.

It's weird that she's flying at you.

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

If a hen were that aggressive with me for any reason other than being broody, I would not be okay with that hen. Sorry to say. That is a really nasty trait. You may want to think about rehoming or at least relocating her if that continues. She is trying to put you in line behind her and order you around ("I don't WANNA go to bed so don't make me or I will discipline you like I would do to any of the other girls in this flock! Get thee behind me, human!") and that's not okay. Okay I am being silly with the "dialogue," but you get my point I hope.
Regarding her teaching bad habits, sometimes, you can displace the top hen so the others will establish an order without her, then re-introduce her so she has to be 'interviewed' regarding where she will then fit in the pecking order. Often, they don't reclaim the top position.

 

[CJ's chic chics]

If a hen were that aggressive with me for any reason other than being broody, I would not be okay with that hen. Sorry to say. That is a really nasty trait. You may want to think about rehoming or at least relocating her if that continues. She is trying to put you in line behind her and order you around (I don't WANNA go to bed so don't make me or I will discipline you like I would do to any of the other girls in this flock! Get thee behind me, human!") and that's not okay. Okay I am being silly with the "dialogue," but yo get my point I hope.
Regarding her teaching bad habits, sometimes, you can displace the top hen so the others will establish an order without her, then re-introduce her so she has to be 'interviewed' regarding where she will then fit in the pecking order. Often, they don't reclaim the top position.

 

[CJ's chic chics]

If a hen were that aggressive with me for any reason other than being broody, I would not be okay with that hen. Sorry to say. That is a really nasty trait. You may want to think about rehoming or at least relocating her if that continues. She is trying to put you in line behind her and order you around ("I don't WANNA go to bed so don't make me or I will discipline you like I would do to any of the other girls in this flock! Get thee behind me, human!") and that's not okay. Okay I am being silly with the "dialogue," but you get my point I hope.
Regarding her teaching bad habits, sometimes, you can displace the top hen so the others will establish an order without her, then re-introduce her so she has to be 'interviewed' regarding where she will then fit in the pecking order. Often, they don't reclaim the top position.

 

[CJ's chic chics]

I will totally try separating her for a little while. No amount of treats works but I haven't tried cheese (will totally do this tonight). And no the dialogue isn't silly. I totally heard her say that very thing -Lol. Thanks