/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    Not a member yet? join BYC here & then introduce yourself in our community forum here.

How do I become dominant hen?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by AndChicksMake10, Nov 1, 2008.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 1, 2008 #1
    AndChicksMake10

    AndChicksMake10 In the Brooder

    17
    0
    22
    Aug 12, 2008
    Our 7 pullets are 2.5 months old, and it's looking like their pecking order is pretty well established. They're a mix of Barred Rocks, Silver Laced Wyandottes, a Dominique, a bantam BR and an Easter Egger. Lily, the EE, is the biggest and most mature (making hen noises while the others are still moving from whistles and peeps) and definitely herds the others around. She is also somewhat aggressive toward me, which has me worried. I don't want to be attacked by my chicken. A couple of days ago I tried holding her down, but must not have done it long enough or effectively because it seemed to make her madder, not more docile.

    Today I picked her up in my lap and stroked her. In return, she pecked my hand and arm, then when that didn't work, she turned the other way and pecked me in the face. Ouch!

    Clearly, she needs to see me as bigger and stronger. I've read about working with roosters to establish a person as alpha roo. Should I try the same techniques with our evil EE?
     
  2. Nov 1, 2008 #2
    Fowl-Language

    Fowl-Language Songster

    271
    0
    139
    Mar 10, 2008
    Longview, WA
    According to my senior hen, the way to establish dominance is to yank on the others' wattles. I'm guessing that's not practical for you! I'd suggest the rooster-taming tricks, which I would try on my rooster myself if I could ever catch the little twerp. [​IMG]
     
  3. Nov 1, 2008 #3
    barred rock

    barred rock In the Brooder

    51
    0
    39
    Apr 6, 2008
    calhoun falls south carolina
    just do what i did
    take a stick with you when you go around her
    it worked well with my RIR hen
     
  4. Nov 1, 2008 #4
    Wildsky

    Wildsky Wild Egg!

    11,966
    18
    313
    Oct 13, 2007
    California
    [​IMG] Go straight to the TOP and become the ROO! [​IMG]

    (post pic's)
     
  5. Nov 1, 2008 #5
    aiwetir

    aiwetir Songster

    294
    4
    119
    Oct 28, 2008
    portland, or
    my girls frequently peck at me, but usually at moles or stuff on my skin or shirt or pants.

    they do a good bit of 'making the nest' when they sit on me though and that requires a lot of tugging at the shirttails and pants or whatever is in their reach and scratching and all that goofy stuff.

    maybe she is just doing some of that.

    or you could do what i sometimes do and just poke them back or tug at their tail feathers, they tend to understand their own language [​IMG]
     
  6. Nov 1, 2008 #6
    LilBizzy

    LilBizzy Chicken Storyteller

    2,188
    5
    191
    May 20, 2008
    Maryland
    I have a chicken who is totally at the bottom of the pecking order. she is constantly getting her butt pecked by the others. I have been doing alot of work inside the run lately, and she follows me around. I was trying to give her special treats because I felt sorry for her.
    Then, I dropped a screw. I went to pick it up and the little brat bit me several times. So I picked her up and carried her around for a few minutes.
    Today, she did it again. First I pulled her tail a little bit, but that didnt work. She had herself puffed up trying to look tough. So I picked her up again, held her real close. I didnt tug on her watles, but I was touching them.
    I'll let ya know tomorrow if it worked. LOL
     
  7. Nov 1, 2008 #7
    rooster-red

    rooster-red Here comes the Rooster

    7,005
    29
    261
    Jun 10, 2007
    Douglasville GA
    Pick her up and hold her in your lap again.

    Wait for the first peck, when she does it grab her beak and hold it for about 30 seconds.

    Repeat this everytime she pecks you.

    It usually only takes a few times of this to stop the pecking.
     
  8. Nov 2, 2008 #8
    sussexgal

    sussexgal Songster

    402
    1
    129
    Jul 25, 2008
    Adirondack Foothills, NY
    Yup - What rooster-Red said [​IMG] I have a BO hen and Ameraucana hen that used to peck to warn me off. A loud "No" and a grabbed beak worked for the both of them. They're eyes changed from mad to Uh Oh in a split second. They were quick studies...lol.
     
  9. Nov 2, 2008 #9
    AndChicksMake10

    AndChicksMake10 In the Brooder

    17
    0
    22
    Aug 12, 2008
    Good ideas. This particular pullet is my son's, so I don't want to have to get rid of her.

    I'll give 'em a try, but I'm probably 'chicken' enough to wear gloves for a while. I trained a hamster to stop nibbling, but I wore gloves for a very long time just in case. Even exploratory nibbles (or pecks) hurt!
     
  10. Nov 2, 2008 #10
    vfem

    vfem Yoga...The Chicken Pose

    7,324
    19
    264
    Aug 4, 2008
    Fuquay Varina, NC
    As I see it..


    Walk softly and carry a big BROOM! [​IMG]
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by: