Chicken Attacks

[ElfEars]

My youngest full grown chicken of the flock keeps running up to me and charging my legs, she has also been "biting" my pant legs and pulling. Why is she doing this? The other ones do not do this.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

How old is your youngest full grown chicken?

That isn't normal behavior for gals... got pics? Sounds very much like a cockerel headed for a long, hot bath with plenty of aromatic veggies.

 

[ElfEars]

She's a leghorn under a year old.

 

[BantyChooks]

Lack of respect. Smack her when she does that.

I've had a few biting pullets.

 

[lazy gardener]

Is she laying? I have some persistent gals who will tug on my pant leg for attention. But they don't charge me. If she's charging you with hackles up, or otherwise being aggressive about it, I'd nix that behavior. But, a little tug on the pant leg, IMO, she's just seeking your attention.

 

[sourland]

It does sound like cockerel behavior. Is she laying. Prove that you are dominant to her. This can be done by firmly forcing her to the ground, scooping her up in a fish net and carrying her around, grabbing her and tucking her under your arm as you work. Don't let her get away with this behavior or it may escalate.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I presume you would know it was male by 1 year old.

Agree... I do have some females that tug pant legs. And even get jealous and do a peck when holding another bird and they want up.

Another possibility, though not common for leghorn... my broody gals will charge all kinds of stuff.

Also agree with Banty... so many possibilities. If someone pecks me I do peck them back. Flock dynamics can vary so greatly.

Just love to see the conversations that take place here!

 

[ElfEars]

Thank you very much everyone.
I do pick her up, but I don't know if she's doing it for attention. I will try putting myself at the top of the pecking order by giving her a little smack and pushing her to the ground

 

[aart]

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.