Hello, I am not completely new to BYC, just have not been on for a while. I have 6 hens that are my very first flock and got them as day olds last April. They are an absolute delight and I wish I had gotten chickens years ago. This is my Speckled Sussex Penelope. She is head hen and is very good to "her flock" but pecks my feet and lower legs when I come into the run to change water, give treats, etc. She does not like to be held but tolerates it while making intimidating noises in my arms. I have 2 Speckled Sussex, 2 Buff Orps and 2 Silver Wyandottes. Penelope became head hen when I had to re-home 2 Delawares that I also had, one of which was head hen. They both were merciless peckers to the other Girls as well as very aggressive to me and after many different approaches to change their behavior I had to give them up. The flock is much happier and healthier now. I hope to get 3-4 more chicks next month and raise them up then introduce them to the flock. Penelope does intimidate me a bit but it is because my very first experience with live chickens was five years ago when I was attacked by a rooster my niece had, it was a terrible experience, so the least bit of aggression shown, freaks me out. I am trying to get over it. Mind you there are some days I can go in the run and pull up a log and just visit with the girls and pet them all. So I think Penny just has days when she wakes up on the wrong side of the roost. Well, I hope my intro is not too long. I took this photo last night as she got a bit of frost bite and I had to bring her into our chicken hospital (laundry room) to apply some first aid and give her some raisins. She was very good through it all and didn't even try to peck me.
Greetings from Kansas, itzybitzyfarm, and ! Great to have you here! LOVE the "bad chicken" picture! I've seen it with cats - never with chickens....you should keep making signs and posting those!! Sounds like penelope think she's top dog. Just keep snatching her up and holding her when she pecks at you - she should get the idea YOU are the one on charge soon. Have fun with your birds and enjoy BYC!!
Such a punishment for Penelope - did you make her wear that in public? Welcome to BYC, and good luck with your flock.
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan My head hen is also a speckled sussex, Freckles, she just loves to be picked up. She was the one who chased off a strange rooster with a ninja kick and karate squawk.
