Biting hen?

[flockoffour]

My 3 month Black Australorp hen has been showing me signs of aggression for about a month now. (she is the dominant hen) She will go after my hand when it looks like it's "challenging" her, if it is taller than her and facing straight foreward. I have been "pecking" her back by tapping her the head when she shows this aggression, but she has been losing trust in me. What should I do?

 

[sourland]

Continue to convince her that you are dominant. Such behavior can escalate to flogging and more vigorous attacks.

 

[PaintedWolf]

I just started having the same problem with my 5 mo old australorp. She is also the dominant hen. She bit me when I reached down to pet another hen, and then bit me again shortly after on the foot. Unfortunatey, I was wearing sandals and she bruised the skin pretty good. What is a good way to show dominance?

 

[dirt4life]

I also recommend the tapping on the head idea. That is what we did with our one Hen. She got pretty mad at me for awhile but then I think she realized she is getting food from me so she better be nice. It took about a month before she calmed her attitude with us.

Hopefully that helps

 

[Dutch552]

I walk toward all my dominant birds until they turn around and get out of my way. This shows that they have to move out of my way and I am the flock alpha. If they come at me I will push them aside with my foot and won't leave the run until I have walked directly at the bird and they yield to me. It only takes a coupe time for the hens to get the idea. Roos can need a little more persuasion if they are young and having testosterone raging through their bodies.

 

[HouseCat]

What is a good way to show dominance?

Carry a big stick!
But seriously, I was always told to try to walk past my chickens, not towards them in a challenging way. I have a little stag that loves to flog me. Each time he does it, I scoop him up, hold him by his feet/legs, and tip him backwards until he starts flapping his wings trying to right himself. I let him flap until he quits. By then he's beat-tired and will even take a nap in my hand while I rub his neck when before he was trying to bite my hands, arms, and chest.
Good luck!

 

[galanie]

Continue bopping her on the head. Losing trust? So? You want her to peck the snot out of you or do you want her to respect you?

 

[Nicole01]

Using aggression can cause more aggression. I have a nasty hen too. I broke her of her nastiness by carrying her around for a few days, then towards the end, sitting her on my lap and petting her. She calmed down, but she does go back to her old ways. If I would of mimicked pecking her, she would draw more blood.

I do remember her full attacking me at that age. She can be as sweet as pie, but she has those nasty moments every 3-6 months and forgets she can be sweet. I just do my routine of carrying her and she will become sweet again. I do not allow my kids to pick her up though. She's drawn blood on me a few times. I love her eggs, so she stays and I will continue to work with her.

 

[PaintedWolf]

Great tips everyone, thanks!

 

[rochelle68]

I have a little white Leghorn hen who can be quite nasty at times. She will charge and bite, straight out of her coop in the morning. I hold her often and she can be a sweetie too. I always carry a small water bottle with me during feeding time or when I let the hens out. If she charges or bites, I give her a quick spray in the face. She backs off every time, and will usually calm down for at least a few days. She is a feisty one!