Favorite Chicken Suddenly Attacking Me!

[Leihamarie]

There are lots of theories to this kind of switch in behavior, although I don't really think it's a switch so much as a maturity issue. Think of it this way: You've been handling her since she was a day old. She trusted you, she was comfortable, and she was a baby. Now she's maturing - laying eggs and preparing for the day she might become a Mama. She never learned that you are not a flockmate, or that you are the boss lady. To her you were just another member of her flock, and as she prepares for motherhood, you are suddenly just as much a threat to her position in the pecking order and just as much a possible threat to her eggs and her little someday-maybe family as any other chicken out there. She's putting you in your place. She's in charge, she's determined to be top hen, she's protecting the lower ranked hens, and she's also determined to keep reminding you that you need to keep your distance. It stinks, but it's chicken-nature.

As much as I hate to recommend striking any animal, if you want to keep her you need to reassert your dominance over her. I don't think a rooster would help in this case, although it might. He'd be in charge of the flock (if she'd let him - some hard headed hens don't) but she'd still be top hen and she's not going to let anyone take her place among the ladies. So yes, carry that stick. Don't really swack her....usually a tap will do it. Yes, she'll come at you again- she already knows you are afraid of her and will back down. When you're feeding or walking out there, avert your eyes but walk straight to her, then right through her as if you don't even see her. If she charges, swack!

Holding her and carrying her around might work as well, as it does for stubborn roosters. But, like the rooster walk of shame and time out, it doesn't always work.

Don't resent her for doing what she is wired to do as far as protecting. And try not to take it personally because it has nothing to do with suddenly not liking you anymore and everything to do with instincts overcoming affection. Good luck!

Thanks for your well thought out reply. She's the obly chicken that's ever gotten feisty with me. She is at the very bottom of the pecking order and must see me somehow as a way to elevate her status. The others have all just started putting her in her place. She's the youngest by a couple weeks and the smallest (AND the most SPOILED!).

I am going to try time outs and carrying her around for a few weeks and if that doesn't work, I'll use the stick as a last resort in order to keep her. I can't add a rooster (even if it WOULD work) as much as I'd love to cause I'm in the city and it's not allowed.

Well... I suppose of I learn to get through this with her, I'll have more experience to benefit others, lol!

 

[AmazingRachel]

When my pullet first started to come into lay, if I was in the enclosure around the time she was going to lay an egg, she would peck my legs and even fly up at me.
I think it's just the hormones, he should mellow out as time goes by.

 

[Blooie]

Thanks for your well thought out reply. She's the obly chicken that's ever gotten feisty with me. She is at the very bottom of the pecking order and must see me somehow as a way to elevate her status. The others have all just started putting her in her place. She's the youngest by a couple weeks and the smallest (AND the most SPOILED!).

I am going to try time outs and carrying her around for a few weeks and if that doesn't work, I'll use the stick as a last resort in order to keep her. I can't add a rooster (even if it WOULD work) as much as I'd love to cause I'm in the city and it's not allowed.

Well... I suppose of I learn to get through this with her, I'll have more experience to benefit others, lol!

You could very well be right about her place in the pecking order, and I could have the whole thing upside down. Sometimes I think that the entire pecking order struggle is just a hair beyond our total understanding. We see it, we recognize it, but the nuances of it stay just out of reach. If she is low, she may be trying to butt you out of the way so she can move up. Good point!! Whatever the reason is, the two important things are that you not take it personally, and that you do, indeed, share what you've learned with others!

 

[Leihamarie]

You could very well be right about her place in the pecking order, and I could have the whole thing upside down. Sometimes I think that the entire pecking order struggle is just a hair beyond our total understanding. We see it, we recognize it, but the nuances of it stay just out of reach. If she is low, she may be trying to butt you out of the way so she can move up. Good point!! Whatever the reason is, the two important things are that you not take it personally, and that you do, indeed, share what you've learned with others!

LOL! Isn't it funny that it's a challenge to not take it personally?!? My adult rational brain is like "duh, it's not personal!" but the attached sentimental side is SOOOOOO disappointed (and a little hurt) that I can't trust her to be on my lap or shoulder any more (I got a fat lip that way, lol!). Thanks for reminding me that it's NOT personal.

You are spot-on that we humans probably do not fully understand the flock hierarchy. Regardless, she has decided she wants to put ME in my place, which she believes is subordinate to her.
I'll ride this out with her and see if I can change her mind about where I belong in relation to her!

 

[jvls1942]

I have had thousands of chickens. never had a mean one, until last year. actually two. one was a rooster, one was a turkey.
I carried a squirt bottle full of water.
after a few squirts, they left me alone, unless I didn't have the bottle hanging on me..
hitting them, or kicking them only aggravates their bad behavior..

I butchered the rooster and sold the turkey..
neither of them were raised by me.
.....jiminwisc......

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

If that would work I'd do it, but if I respond with perceived aggression it seems to up the ante for her. She did just come up to bite me and I put her right into a submissive squat and she seemed to give up and walk away. I'll keep at it. I'm wondering why she started doing it in the first place. Animals don't attack for sport. Especially not another being that's about 100x their size and their source of treats and goodies. There must be a cause.

Then mean it. I am not saying injure her, but let her know you mean it.

Gary

 

[sylviethecochin]

Look into the rooster aggression threads and articles. They're very helpful, even if a lot of the answers advocate soup.

In the meantime: bets on this girl being a production red?

 

[Leihamarie]

Look into the rooster aggression threads and articles. They're very helpful, even if a lot of the answers advocate soup.

In the meantime: bets on this girl being a production red?

Thanks, I will! No, she's a Blue Andalusian and was SUCH a snuggler as a baby/ teenager. She & I have been inseparable for the last 6 months so to have her do such a 180, well... it's a little shocking and sad. I miss my girl!

 

[Petra Pancake]

One of my relatively new Leghorns has been pecking me over and over again at feeding time. I asked for advice here on the forum and people suggested "pecking" her back and distancing her that way from the food for a little while. I've been doing that and it seems to slowly improve her behavior. Now, when I just point my "peck-finger" at her, she often backs off. Though sometimes she tries it again and needs an actual sharp jab on the back as a reminder.

 

[Ashley McDaniel]

Carry a switch and swat her good if she even looks at you sideways, then carry said stick every time you come in the chicken area until she gets over herself. Nip it, nip it in the bud....

Good luck

Gary

Well said Gary!