human aggressive Brahma pullet

[21hens-incharge]

Lol. Then yes she needs either training or a different home.

For what its worth mine have been true to being gentle giants.

 

[lifein1840]

I think what happened is chickens can stop seeing people as separate from other chickens if they are too friendly and close to people when growing up. They start seeing us as fellow chickens and that means when they start maturing they eventually wonder where we fit in the pecking order. Since we are nice to them, they figure they are dominant over us and start taking liberties. It can happen with roosters, as people often say its the roosters who were very friendly and cuddly as chicks that turn into the people aggressive nightmares.

the answer would seem to be that we have to assert our dominance and make sure the chickens know we are above them in the pecking order. The only way I can think of to do this is to treat them the way dominant chickens treat lower chickens - to be mean to them, in other words. But that is not ideal as a relationship between pet and owner.
anyone have any other thoughts?

You may be on to something....it has been so stinkin' cold around here, I have been giving them scratch every afternoon. That's when she started getting hateful. Maybe they have started seeing me like the little kids see the ice cream truck and run to attack!!! I went out to bring fresh water and picked her up to show her the way she needs to behave . She was just fine....maybe our earlier encounter sunk into her little chicken brain.....

 

[lifein1840]

@lifein1840 , What you did is exactly what she needs. She needs to be subordinated so that she learns to respect your dominance. Your response to her behavior was common sense and good husbandry. Chickens need to be treated like chickens not dogs.

thank you so much! I have used this same technique on roosters....some got the hint, others.......well, you know......

 

[sourland]

thank you so much! I have used this same technique on roosters....some got the hint, others.......well, you know......

I figure they probably ended up in the crock pot. Like you, many years with birds.

 

[lifein1840]

x2 you must dominate her this article is for a roo but may help your situation. just ignore the parts for a roo and focuse on the dominance.
what your doing is great though
www.backyardchickens.com/articles/author/squishychicken.495040/

thanks so much for the link to the article. I really will do my best to correct her thinking....I have wanted a Brahma for a long time and I don't give up too easily.

 

[lifein1840]

I think what happened is chickens can stop seeing people as separate from other chickens if they are too friendly and close to people when growing up. They start seeing us as fellow chickens and that means when they start maturing they eventually wonder where we fit in the pecking order. Since we are nice to them, they figure they are dominant over us and start taking liberties. It can happen with roosters, as people often say its the roosters who were very friendly and cuddly as chicks that turn into the people aggressive nightmares.

the answer would seem to be that we have to assert our dominance and make sure the chickens know we are above them in the pecking order. The only way I can think of to do this is to treat them the way dominant chickens treat lower chickens - to be mean to them, in other words. But that is not ideal as a relationship between pet and owner.
anyone have any other thoughts?

thanks for the sound advice....I appreciate being able to think things through with other chicken freaks!!

 

[Mrs. K]

Really, I think I would cull her. She cannot be enjoyable to be around. She may be causing strife in your flock. If she is biting you, what if someone else comes to the coop? Sometimes a bird just does not fit in with either or both you and the flock. Let them go out of your flock. A bird ready to lay, should be easy enough to sell. She might do better in another flock.

I just am not a believer in changing a chickens behavior to people. Especially long term chronic problems.

Mrs k

 

[lifein1840]

Really, I think I would cull her. She cannot be enjoyable to be around. She may be causing strife in your flock. If she is biting you, what if someone else comes to the coop? Sometimes a bird just does not fit in with either or both you and the flock. Let them go out of your flock. A bird ready to lay, should be easy enough to sell. She might do better in another flock.

I just am not a believer in changing a chickens behavior to people. Especially long term chronic problems.

Mrs k

I just saw your reply. I actually gave her about a week to change her evil ways and when she didn't and started being more aggressive to the other hens, she was given a free trip to freezer camp. Thanks for your advice, sorry I didn't answer for so long - not a big fan of being on the computer