Can your hen actually HURT you?

[gmendoza]

Broodies are mean!! look at these pics of mine.

Sure.put your hand on me! cmon I dont bite much.you just may only lose your arm!!

suggestions: DONT DO IT!!

 

[gryeyes]

Here's a photo of my gentle BO, Buffy (the Vampire Slaying Chicken), who has gone broody as of Sunday.

She sure can fluff up BIG and boy, her growling is impressive. She never pecked me before now. (Didn't hurt, but I sure got the message!!)

 

[buckabucka]

I have my first chickens, - only 4 weeks now. I anticipate many of my hens will hurt my feelings by turning out to be roosters!

 

[Papadavid]

I just wish one of my hens would go broody!!!

 

[Dora'smom]

My husband startled one of our RIR's some time ago, by putting his arm down into the coop and trying to pet one. The startled bird screeched and ran, and Sassy, our BO pullet hunted my husband down, squatted down on her little chickeny legs and jumped up and bit him on the arm. She drew blood. That is the only instance that I can recall where any of our birds actually hurt either one of us, other than some mild scratching, but, yes. . . they are capable of injuring humans.
More than once, when throwing treats to the girls, I've told my husband, "you really wouldn't want to fall down in here and not be able to get up!" I think we would be talking skeletal remains.

 

[macmama]

gmendoza-- she has crazy eyes! Here's Bluebell... she looks scary but she's all talk.

And Ruby after the babies hatched last week...

 

[hddm3]

Quote:

Nice!

 

[Tiramisu]

Yes, I got pecked a few times getting eggs I think. Also, when I made sure they were all roosted...my GLW decided to peck my eye, that hurt

also...i was giving them food a few weeks ago, and I reached in to grab it because it was too big for them to eat and my australorp got my hand instead

she pinched/twisted the skin and that hurt quite a bit... lol

 

[pgpoultry]

Go for Brahmas, as broody hens they are remarkably placid, the most I have ever had is a half-hearted squawk! Also they can cover a LOT of eggs (Downside is they take a heck of a while to mature).

I wouldn't be too upset if they were grouchy,though, as they are only trying to protect their eggs and young. We have wild Canada geese nesting by our pond and now they really ARE grouchy......hissing, chasing etc........so anything a hen can give out would be a breeze!

Sandie

 

[SilverPhoenix]

It surprises me how scared you guys are of your broodies!

Maybe it's just my confidence and having been around chickens for twelve years now, but I stick my hands under broody hens all the time, and even if I get pecked (which I can usually avoid anyway) it's no big deal at all. Doesn't cause a mark, and certainly not blood.

I mean, they're certainly feisty and make a fuss, but I've never even thought of worrying about getting injured.

The most dangerous part of chicken keeping for me is the badly trimmed wire on the run's door. Now that gets me around once a week, I think! Nasty thing, that door!