Bratty Welsummer

[luisadaisy]

My chicks are coming 16 weeks old and my Welsummers are ALWAYS next to me or chasing me down. One comes ready to attack every time I pick up the goats water bucket... I always thought it was cute and friendly until this morning when I realized she wants me dead ;P... Yes, I know she's a she.... any idea why she's doing this or how to stop the behavior? She's not scared of me in the slightest and if I have a rake she will get pet by the rake before leaving me to my chores.

 

[cherrynberry]

My chicks are coming 16 weeks old and my Welsummers are ALWAYS next to me or chasing me down. One comes ready to attack every time I pick up the goats water bucket... I always thought it was cute and friendly until this morning when I realized she wants me dead ;P... Yes, I know she's a she.... any idea why she's doing this or how to stop the behavior? She's not scared of me in the slightest and if I have a rake she will get pet by the rake before leaving me to my chores.

Are you 100% sure it’s a hen? Sometimes hatcherys sell hens, but one becomes a roo...

 

[luisadaisy]

Are you 100% sure it’s a hen? Sometimes hatcherys sell hens, but one becomes a roo...

I will upload a picture later today or early tomorrow... but yes. It is not maturing at a quicker speed. Is not showing a larger crown at all... the only thing that could make me thing it is a cockerel would be the tail feathers that are slightly longer than my other 2 welsummers but honestly, I would say 98% positive it's a pullet. This stand out one is the same color as my other 2 Welsummers and my understanding is the rooster's in this breed have a totally different look.

 

[luisadaisy]

Are you 100% sure it’s a hen? Sometimes hatcherys sell hens, but one becomes a roo...

In the trio it would be the one on the left.

 

[cherrynberry]

In the trio it would be the one on the left.

Evertime she pecks you just peck her back using your fingers, or it that does not work press her to the ground until she submits to you. Don’t hurt her, just do it so she knows your the boss, not her

 

[aart]

Yes, peck her back!

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

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.