Hen aggressive towards people

[prin23]

Our hen, Comet, has taken on the role of a rooster, she even tries to crow. (Been laying eggs for 6+ months)

I know she is a breed that is often aggressive, but she’s been getting even more so. I’m not sure if it’s the time of year. She’s just over a year old.

98% of the time she is sweet, runs to us for treats, hops on my lap, always comes in the house if the door is open.
Today when I walked outside she ran at me, jumped and cut my leg with her spurs (they are real sharp) and bit me, both drew blood. I picked her up and she bit again, leaving a bruise under my fingernail.

I’m hoping others have had this experience and can offer some insight on how to correct this behavior.

I don’t eat chicken so she’s lucky that she’s safe from that fate, but I’d hate to keep her separated. I know it’s cruel to separate, so I wouldn’t, but she’s gone after the kids too and bit my daughter on the face..

Would getting an actual rooster help?
Is she just bored and needing more stimulation? We are on an acre but I do keep them in their coop unless I’m home.
Continue being calm and loving towards her?
Be dominant and show her I’m top bird?
Rehome her to someone who won’t coop her up as much?

TIA

 

[prin23]

I worry about the safety of my other hens too.. it’s definitely more than just regular pecking order.

 

[coach723]

Do you have a rooster? Sometimes, in the absence of a rooster a dominant hen will try to fill the void and act very much like one. There is also a fairly rare condition where a hens working ovary quits and the non working ovary can develop into testes like organs and the hen will take on rooster traits. They don't lay eggs (so it says) when that happens. I've had hens do the first, I've never had one with the second issue. You may just have a very aggressive, dominant hen, who is trying to be the rooster for the flock. Or you just have a dominant, aggressive hen. I had one that was just a monster like that when I went for a period without a rooster. Once a rooster was back in the flock she settled down and went back to just being a hen. Hen or roo, I personally would not keep one that flogged or spurred me. Last roo that spurred me was not around very long. You can trim the spurs and blunt them. But it still hurts if they nail you.

 

[FrostRanger]

If it was just you she had a problem with, I'd suggest treating her like an aggressive rooster (or rather, how people attempt to reform an aggressive roo), however since she's attacking kids and other hens, I'd cull her

 

[Mrs. K]

Do be aware when she is on your shoulder - she can peck out your eyes.

Personally, I would sell her, I don't think she is working out for you, your flock or your children. IMO people vastly overestimate how human intervention changes chicken behavior. I just not a believer.

Mrs K

 

[coach723]

If you have children around this bird that also changes things a lot. While she likely cannot jump high enough to do major damage to you, she can easily reach a small child's face. Resulting injury could be serious. I have grandchildren and don't keep birds that I can't trust. Even a good bird can have a moment, and I never assume and always supervise. But I don't keep the ones that are habitually nasty. And I've had a few. One had a name I can't write here, that he earned, he had a short existence.

 

[tlcmurphy]

You have kids? She needs to go. And not to someone that has kids.

 

[prin23]

Thank you everyone for your replies.
I really appreciate it.

It’s a hard position for me to be in, after rescuing her as a chick. (She’s the one in my avitar pic) But when it comes down to it, you’re all right, the safety of the kids and other animals is what’s most important. I will spend this weekend finding her a new home where she will be a better fit.

 

[ColdWind]

She’s at least part game! A literal fighting chicken. Even the hens are oddly aggressive. What you describe is totally normal for her breed.

 

[prin23]

She’s at least part game! A literal fighting chicken. Even the hens are oddly aggressive. What you describe is totally normal for her breed.

I’m in a small town in Texas and there are feral game fowl around this area. Sadly it’s because people breed them around here for fighting.

Some people throw food to them in parking lots and set out water.
This one was found, newly hatched and all by herself, so that’s why we took her in. We were hoping nurture vrs nature would work out.
We got one solid year of snuggles and sweetness from her at least