Help my girls are attacking me!

[rgusmer1003]

We have four hens, which we've had since they were a week (Australorp and our Barred Plymouth Rock) and two weeks old ( Buff Orpington and Easter Eager). They are now about 3 1/2 & 4 months old. They've always been so sweet and chirpy.

Tonight I went out to lock them up in their coop, making sure they had plenty of food and water for the night. As I went to herd the girl in I noticed they were all looking up, necks fully extended, chirping really loudly. I knelt down to pick up Gloria our 3 1/2 month Australorp she pecked at my hand very hardly. So I stood up slowly as to not anger her. As I did our 4 month old Buff Orpington; Grace flew up at me as to go after my face.

Taking this a sign of aggression I slowly back out if the run, them following closely still chirping. As I closed the door Grace flew up at the door, going after me a second time; getting her talons stuck in the fencing. She flew back with the other girls and wherever I walked around the coop they followed.

I haven't changed anything about their routine or myself. The aggressive behavior literally came out of nowhere. They have free reign in their run and yard. Our rooster is kept away from them so he doesn't attack them (we've had an incident a month ago when he got in the coop).

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Literally at a loss.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They are at the age of sexual maturity. They sometimes can become a bit more aggressive. Sounds like they were already agitated when you went in the pen and they were probably going on the defensive. Perhaps a predator was sniffing about.

If you birds are also very tame they may see you as part of the flock, and may challenge you for dominance. Hopefully they calm down and it was an isolated incident, otherwise you may have some dominating to do, generally pushing them to the ground and holding them down.

 

[aart]

You may have spooked them....but....

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

 

[Rainbowskyes]

Yep, gotta show those girls who is boss! I spent about a week and half showing two of my girls.... I'd do all of the above advice, but when ever I turned my back to leave one of my girls would start at me pecking the back of my leg with purpose. I would turn around and and without hurting her give her a lift up with my foot and send her back about a foot, and then square up to her and repeat if necessary. One of my other chickens clued in and began to punish her for attacking me. Now we have no problems...but had to really keep up on it and show her I was not going to be pushed around.

 

[Folly's place]

Your pullets are behaving badly, and you need to become the queen, the giant who brings food. You are not another chicken!!! Stop any hand feeding, walk through them, and never back up. Pecking back is good if you have excellent reflexes and can connect immediately, or carry a weapon, like a stick to extend your reach and tap the offender. The feed bucket could accidently bump a bird who gets into your space. I don't plan to be pecked or challenged IN ANY WAY by any of my chickens! The birds can respect my space, and only come in if invited.
Are you sure that these are all pullets? Do you have a couple of obnoxious cockerels out there?
Mary

 

[rgusmer1003]

Your pullets are behaving badly, and you need to become the queen, the giant who brings food. You are not another chicken!!! Stop any hand feeding, walk through them, and never back up. Pecking back is good if you have excellent reflexes and can connect immediately, or carry a weapon, like a stick to extend your reach and tap the offender. The feed bucket could accidently bump a bird who gets into your space. I don't plan to be pecked or challenged IN ANY WAY by any of my chickens! The birds can respect my space, and only come in if invited.
Are you sure that these are all pullets? Do you have a couple of obnoxious cockerels out there?
Mary

Thanks for the advice!! Yes, I'm sure they are all pullets. We bought them from a local lady who bought them sexed from a hatchery. Hopefully they didn't mess up and send her males as well.

They seem to be back to normal or as normal as 4 month old chicks can be haha. We do have a rooster (Ren) he's a Belgian Millie Fleur D'uccle and the girls are about the same size as him and he's 9-10 months old. He roams the yard all day long and the girls we keep in their coop/run unless we're out side activity watching them. He does follow me every morning when I let the girls out. Kind of saying 'Sup ladies, good morning!' haha