Bad behaving hen

[Byrd gal]

My 11 month old hen ace has gotten in the bad habit of attacking any chicken that I happen to pet or pick up. She started it when she came back from a rest in the house for a day. Is she jealous ? She isn't especially friendly unless its treat time. She isn't like my RIR or BR that hops up to snuggle. Any ideas how to stop her from attacking them?

 

[CluckerFamily]

How long ago was she in the house?
How long has she been back with the flock?
Did you do an integration back into the flock?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Explain "attack" - this means a lot of things.
For example is she pecking at the hens that you hold/pet after you have held or given them attention, is she flogging them, is she pecking/flogging while you're holding them?

 

[Byrd gal]

So sorry, she is pulling feathers and chasing them after they are held or petted. She isn't too mean if I am not around but she is bossy.first or second ranked in the flock of 11. She hasn't tried to attack them while they are held but she watches stank eyed. Not sure how to stop this its new and she is the only one doing it.

 

[aart]

Not sure how to stop this its new and she is the only one doing it.

Either isolate her....or stop holding petting the other birds.
or you might try.....pecking her back.
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.

 

[Byrd gal]

She was in the house 5 hours. I put her out while they were free ranging in the yard. Nothing odd outside or in the coop after she came back. It's been a week and a half ago

Either isolate her....or stop holding petting the other birds.
or you might try.....pecking her back.
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.

I gotta love on my girls I will try the flipping first. My b.r. jumps on my back to get snuggles, they are very tame. ace is just having a minute I guess. Maybe its the cold weather wearing on her. Thanks for the advice. I wouldn't have thought to give her a peck.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So sorry, she is pulling feathers and chasing them after they are held or petted. She isn't too mean if I am not around but she is bossy.first or second ranked in the flock of 11. She hasn't tried to attack them while they are held but she watches stank eyed. Not sure how to stop this its new and she is the only one doing it.

To me this sounds normal. She's a high ranking hen and is "scolding" the others when they rejoin the flock after having time with you. Basically, she's telling them to get in line when they return.
Chicken pecking order business.

Personally, I would not interfere unless she's beating them up, drawing blood or holding them down. Interference by humans often escalates behavior.

Just my 2¢

 

[aart]

My b.r. jumps on my back to get snuggles, they are very tame.

Jumping on your back is not a good thing to allow, IMO.
But then, I am not a chicken cuddler.

 

[Byrd gal]

To me this sounds normal. She's a high ranking hen and is "scolding" the others when they rejoin the flock after having time with you. Basically, she's telling them to get in line when they return.
Chicken pecking order business.

Personally, I would not interfere unless she's beating them up, drawing blood or holding them down. Interference by humans often escalates behavior.

Just my 2¢

I will heed your advice you are amazing thank you for helping us and our girls. I feel like i will never be without questions. It's always something.