Crazy scared hen!

[Sarasarasara222]

So this chicken was always calm - she even came up to me and pecked me until I picked her up! Now she is running away when your 4 metres away, it began when she was distant and I wasn't worried then I realised she was incredibly skittish. Anyone know how to calm her?

 

[aart]

How old is she?
Their behaviors can change.....have had a calm steady girl go neurotic.
Have also had skittish chicks turn into cuddly pullets.
Had one of my most skittish pullets stand on the nest perch when I walked into the coop the other day and let me touch her all over.

 

[Sarasarasara222]

do they do this as they get older? is it reversible? (she's 5 years old).

 

[aart]

it began when she was distant

What does this mean...typo?

do they do this as they get older? is it reversible? (she's 5 years old).

I think it can happen at any age. Not sure if it's reversible, depends on what caused it. She might have had a scare, or is being bullied due to lost pecking order status, or something flipped in her little bird brain.
I suppose you could do 'holding therapy', start handling her again.
Start with off the roost at night with a dim headlight and a soft voice, that would get her used to being touched again. Would take lots of time and effort.

 

[Sarasarasara222]

If i try to handle her she just runs away and i don't think that it would help then, what do you mean with the last sentence? do you mean i just get her from her house or just talk?

 

[aart]

If i try to handle her she just runs away and i don't think that it would help then, what do you mean with the last sentence? do you mean i just get her from her house or just talk?

Handling a bird at night by taking it off the roost is the easiest way to 'catch' them.
I do all my exams and treatments that way...as well as just handling birds so they stay familiar with it.