Hen Attacking Me Daily

[Annabellaa]

It does happen by hatcheries sometimes. They have even been known to throw in a boy or 2 as extra's (packing peanut's). I have had enough rooster's to know what the tail's look like. I would take better pictures of that one alone so that it can better be looked at to see if anyone else agrees with me on it being a boy. Get the tail and saddle feather area.

Do these pictures work? I had to put her on a board in the snow so she would stay put for me lol

 

[Nero70002]

Are you able to hold a piece of paper or something under a few saddle feathers so we can see the shape easier? It would be easier to see the contrast.

 

[Annabellaa]

Are you able to hold a piece of paper or something under a few saddle feathers so we can see the shape easier? It would be easier to see the contrast.

She’s a real pain to get a picture of

 

[Little Baby Bean]

She’s a real pain to get a picture of

She’s definitely a female.

 

[Sussex19]

She’s a real pain to get a picture of

100% female.
Definitely try pecking her back, I might go as far as pecking her until she starts to run, and then run after her.
Walk through her, and make her get out of the way.
If you decide to re-home (which sounds like quite a good idea) make sure to let any buyers know how bad tempered she is, as the last thing you want is a for a child to get badly hurt by her.
I hope it works out one way or another, its no fun when one is dealing with this kind of thing!

 

[Nero70002]

I agree it’s definitely a female! Thanks for taking the better pics.

 

[Painted Calls]

She's a pullet, not a cockerel. Tail feathers mean nothing.

You've gotten some good advice here, OP. Good luck with her!

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

....and she is awfully pretty too

You mentioned she isn't laying yet ... (Fingers crossed) maybe her hormones are off and it will settle once she starts laying

their personalities change as they grow and develop

My old girls are not the same as when they were younger (me too !)

 

[Mayalys]

We had one of those hens who started deliberately walking up to my husband and pecking him really hard when she was still quite young. He tried everything (“pecking” her back, making her submit, everything you can think of, and nothing worked). Eventually, we figured out it was some sort of mating call, and she was especially bad when she felt other hens were being favored. Getting her to squat and lifting her tail up, and favoring her with some goodies, was enough to make the issue very manageable. My husband ended up missing her when she died.

 

[Judy Todd]

For cryin' out loud.....PECK HER BACK!!
That's what chickens understand.

Might not work after allowing ths behavior for so long, 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.

OMG, made my day, laughed at the image. I have had to use my rake to give an overy nosey hen a lesson. After a few pecks to close to my eye when bending over to get some cracked corn, I decided that was not good, so I used the metal lid to give then a gentle swat, worked after only 2 days. You need to maintain your leadership in the barn.