Breed Question and Suggestion

[M Brennen]

I have a mixture of breeds, Araucana, Rhode Island Reds. Barred Rocks, and Golden Comets. They are all together and just over 4 weeks old. For the past few weeks a few of my Barred Rocks have gotten somewhat aggressive with me. No the usual curious pecking, but actually biting my hand. This morning one actually left a mark! I know it is getting a little crowded in their box, but they will need to be in there for another week and some of these Barred Rocks have been doing this for a weeks. IS it the breed or am I to suspect they might be roosters? I will need to continue to put my hand in the box to feed them. Any suggestions how to curb this behavior?

 

[M Brennen]

Without pictures of them, I can't tell you if they are roosters.
It's not the breed, barred rocks are actually really friendly.
My barred rocks, at that age, had a few aggression issues, but mostly towards each other. I had to separate them until they were older. The behavior stopped once they were two months old. I don't know if that would be the same for you, but that was my experience.

I haven’t noticed the aggression toward the other birds, just to me. I do have one Barred Rock with a larger comb than the others, but that isn’t one of the birds that bites at me. I will try to get pictures.

 

[HappyClucker7]

Without pictures of them, I can't tell you if they are roosters.
It's not the breed, barred rocks are actually really friendly.
My barred rocks, at that age, had a few aggression issues, but mostly towards each other. I had to separate them until they were older. The behavior stopped once they were two months old. I don't know if that would be the same for you, but that was my experience.

 

[Justso]

Do you have treats in your hand when they peck you?
Do they have access to chicken feed all the time? I'm trying to tell if they're aggressive or hangry.

 

[M Brennen]

Do you have treats in your hand when they peck you?
Do they have access to chicken feed all the time? I'm trying to tell if they're aggressive or hangry.

I don’t give them treats yet and they have access to food at all times. It seems to be one or two of the Barred Rocks. There is one Barred Rock that I think might be a rooster, but that isn’t the one that peck me. Even when if I open the box and leanEd in with my body one pecked at my shirt this morning. Strange bird.

 

[The Happster]

I don't believe roosters peck more than hens. In my experience, I have been pecked more by the girls.
Pictures would be extremely helpful.
I am inclined to think they are just treat searching and not being aggressive.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I don’t give them treats yet and they have access to food at all times. It seems to be one or two of the Barred Rocks. There is one Barred Rock that I think might be a rooster, but that isn’t the one that peck me. Even when if I open the box and leanEd in with my body one pecked at my shirt this morning. Strange bird.

Do you have rings on your finger or buttons on your shirts? Could also be that they are crowded. Some birds are just curious and peck at everything. Photos would help with the gender question

 

[Justso]

Yes, I'm tending towards mouthy chick given the info. Maybe not aggressive, just very touchy-feely. This may turn out to be a tame hen, if it is a pullet.

 

[Justso]

Cute bunch!
I think you just have a pullet with extra personality.

 

[The Happster]

Not very clear.
I will tentatively say pullet due to not seeing much colour, but I really can't see the comb or the pattern well.
It looks like you ran in to get the photo and had to leg it so as not to get pecked