I have an Australorp that I think is a hen but lately, she has been charging me when I enter the run, even if I am bringing treats! She is 18 weeks old and has a great red comb on top of her head! She is absolutely giant and very, very vocal but I don't see any plumage on her behind that would convince me she is a he! I have tried everything, coaxing her with first dibs on treats, catching her and petting her gently and talking to her softly. She does allow me to pick her up. In fact, every evening, instead of going into the coop like the other 3 hens (all different breeds), she flies to the top of the 6 foot run fence and perches there until I come and get her down and put her into the coop. She has never tried to peck at me while I am doing this, she is rather tame about it, but there is a lot of loud squawking when I shut her in the coop. Is this normal for this breed? I chose the breeds I did because they were supposed to be calm breeds, good layers and generally easygoing. I have children and grandchildren and now I am afraid to let them in the run to feed the chickens. My 9 year old son came in crying the other day saying she had run up to him and pecked his foot really hard. Is there anything I can do? Like I mentioned, she is very, very vocal also. Loudest one of the bunch. No cock-a-doodle-doos, just a lot of screamingly loud squawks, like a very angry duck. Is there anything I can do? Could she possibly be a rooster? If my husband didn't have the camera on a camping trip, I would post a photo and maybe someone could tell me by looking. This is my first flock of chickens! I ordered all girls but I know that mistakes happen! Just wish I knew! I am not supposed to have a rooster. I can get away with her squawking so much because we have a family of wild turkeys that live at the end of the street! I just don't know how long I will get away with that! I will try to post a photo of her later, when I have the camera. Until then, any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. She bit my hand fiercely today!
