Chicken Attack

[ACH1980]

What should I do about 1 of my chickens who attempts to attack me every time I let her out of the coop, attempt to get an egg out of the nesting box and reach into the coop to feed them?! I only have 6 chickens and I have had her since she was a baby. She is one year old and her behaviors just started about 6 weeks ago. Any suggestions? My husband doesn't believe me that she tries to attack me!

 

[Hayduke27]

She feels that she's above you in the pecking order. I'd try putting her on your lap and hold her there, even if she's trying to get down, then pet her a bit. She will probably hate this, but make her stay and put up with it. It will be a subtle way for you to assert your dominance over her and move yourself up in the pecking order.

My alpha hen likes to come up and peck me to assert herself. I'm talking about the "grab hard and twist your skin, trying to tear flesh" kind of peck. Not the curious friendly chicken peck. Whenever she does this I put my hand on her back. She tries to get it off without running away, because if she runs she is not the alpha, but I will pet her and keep my hand on her back until she leaves. Usually doing this once or twice stops the pecking for the day.

You just need to show her that you are the boss, and whatever you say goes.

 

[ACH1980]

Thank You! I will definitely give it a try. She is hard to catch - the only one in the bunch that is sneaky and really fast! When she gets out of the coop she runs right for me and when she gets close she flies upward as if she wants to peck my eyes out! The only way to get her to stop the attack is yelling loud while I lunge toward her -- Sometimes she even does a sneak attack and she starts chasing me when I turn to go back up to the house. Makes me nervous with the kids - but will def try to get her on my lap for some extra petting to show who is boss. Thanks again!

 

[Folly's place]

If you can't fix it, and it will be really difficult for the children, cull her. I've never had an attack hen, and can't imaging tolerating such behavior. Pecking to defend a nest of chicks as a broody can be okay, but what you're describing sounds bad. Mary

 

[ACH1980]

Thank you -- I will give her a little bit more time but it has def become an issue with my kiddo's feeling comfortable collecting eggs and feeding them in fear that "Lulu" will attack! Someone I spoke with mentioned she might be taking on the role of the Rooster since we don't have one. Thanks again!