Hen aggressive toward us! What to do?

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

I agree, one hen can take on the role of rooster if there is no roos around, I have seen this. I have heard they may even try to crow.. lol!
Anyway, kicking, throwing and fighting is only encouraging her to fight. As with a rooster you should flip her over and hold her until she calms and submits and carry her around daily. I do this with my roos, I like to carry them around on their back cradled like a baby. I don't think they like it but it's funny and it works. I dont recommend hanging by their feet even though it does work, you run the risk of damaging them when they struggle to get upright. With a little effort each day I think you can fix her in no time, I bet it's even easier to do this with a hen then a roo. Or you could just get a roo and it will probably fix her.
I liked the idea of making her jealous with treats, I'll have to try that sometime!

 

[Silkiefan]

she sounds delicious!
just kidding ok?

 

[sourland]

It is a sad reality that when we make pets of some chickens the removal of boundaries also removes the respect livestock usually have for people. She will continue to attack as long as she feels that she is on the same level as you. Think tiny feathered velociraptor.

 

[patnjess]

chicken and dumplings

 

[Chicky Tocks]

The very first thought that entered my mind was that you have no roo and this hen has taken on that role. She is head hen over the flock and she protects them as a roo would. I wouldn't recommend getting a roo, but I would deal with her one and pick her up and carry her around while petting and talking to her. Also, I love the idea of flipping one over on it's back and giving her the come to Jesus talk. LOL and do it with a wagging finger!

 

[Iheartmyhens]

My dominant hen has not tried attacking me, but she DOES make some pretty sad attempts at crowing-it sounds pretty pathetic.

Picking her up and carrying her upsidedown for a while once or twice a day for a couple of weeks sounds like it should get the idea through to her! Once she calms down a bit, handfeeding the other one bugs or special treats in front of her should reinforce the idea that it's good to have you around. Reinforcing that by feeding your nice hen first and making the mean one wait her turn would probably help reinforce her good behavior.

Sounds like somebody needs to take a few upsidedown walks with you!
Good luck!

 

[triplepurpose]

Hens will definitely try to take on the role of a rooster if one is not around. Gender seems to be an elastic thing for them, having more to do with ranking and social structure than physiology. I've heard hens crowing and seen hens mounting other hens.

We had an aggressive rooster and no amount of "putting him in his place" seemed to help. After a few months of everyone on our farm being assaulted by this beast, and numerous stand-offs, we gave up that tack, and instead had some of the best chicken soup and enchiladas ever. I can recommend some recipes...

I never tried the "gentle touch" approach with any commitment... But in your case you might consider it worth a try at least. I would think with a hen you might be able to bring out her feminine side with some effort.

If she's a good layer especially it might be worth it.

 

[CovertS2]

My hens do the same thing to us! They are really aggressive and peck at our legs and even jump up to get at our arms! Kicking and shoving isn't working.
A few thing have worked:
1. Hold some thing up high, this scares them, they think its a hawk
2. Pet them before they come for you
Good luck!

 

[jstlitlome]

my two barred rocks are very "pecky". We actually had one named "little pecker" early on in the brooder and she is the worst. Funny thing is, she doesn't seem to be aggressive about it, she just seems curious. They want to be underfoot all the time, and sometimes I think the pecking is just to get attention. But they peck HARD!

I've started trying to flick them on the back of the head, it causes them to squat (they are 20 weeks, about to lay I think) but then they just go back to pecking.

 

[HeatherEmme]

I find my hens peck at me if I'm wearing certain clothes or if I am wearing flip flops...they like to peck at my painted toes. I have an ankle bracelet that dangles and they like that also. My necklace and hair also catch their 'eye'. It's not done out of aggression, but curiosity. Maybe you wear something she wants to peck at? Maybe she's going broody? I think throwing on some gloves and handling her more often might help? GL