I was Attacked by a hen

[Member 671655]

Does anyone know how to train a chicken not to bite so dang hard? I was very cheerful and sweet when I went out this morning to check for eggs. Hiyatachi is a comet and she was protecting a brood of ten collected eggs unbeknownst to me. I had no idea she was in the mood she was in. She grabbed on to my arm and wouldn’t let go she’s the only one that treats me so violently but she’s a good layer so I don’t want to kill her I’ve tried the hen peck thing and I’ve tried the hanging by the feet and nothing works :/

 

[mydaisy]

I think that just comes with the territory of a broody hen, they can be protective. I've not had one to do that kind of damage, but they can be mean. Might want to wear sturdy gloves when collecting eggs She should be less aggressive when her broody hormones subside.

 

[NatJ]

Might want to wear sturdy gloves when collecting eggs

Or a long-sleeved heavy coat, depending on how far up the arm she grabbed.

I went out this morning to check for eggs. Hiyatachi is a comet and she was protecting a brood of ten collected eggs unbeknownst to me. I had no idea she was in the mood she was in. She grabbed on to my arm and wouldn’t let go she’s the only one that treats me so violently but she’s a good layer so I don’t want to kill her I’ve tried the hen peck thing and I’ve tried the hanging by the feet and nothing works :/

Sometimes reaching in differently can help-- from above, from below, from the front or back or side, put a hand on her back before reaching underneath with the other hand, quite a few possible variations.

With some hens, nothing helps, and you are just stuck with protective gear and/or bitten hands & arms.

When a hen is sitting on eggs, some bite and some do not. But I have never heard of anyone successfully training a biter to stop in that situation. (It might be possible, but if so I never happened to hear of it.)

 

[Member 671655]

I think that just comes with the territory of a broody hen, they can be protective. I've not had one to do that kind of damage, but they can be mean. Might want to wear sturdy gloves when collecting eggs She should be less aggressive when her broody hormones subside.

Thank you

 

[Member 671655]

Or a long-sleeved heavy coat, depending on how far up the arm she grabbed.



Sometimes reaching in differently can help-- from above, from below, from the front or back or side, put a hand on her back before reaching underneath with the other hand, quite a few possible variations.

With some hens, nothing helps, and you are just stuck with protective gear and/or bitten hands & arms.

When a hen is sitting on eggs, some bite and some do not. But I have never heard of anyone successfully training a biter to stop in that situation. (It might be possible, but if so I never happened to hear of it.)

Yeah she was in a corner so maybe she felt attacked? I tried to talk to her gently as I do my other hens but she was bent on keeping those eggs safe I think. thank you

 

[NatJ]

Yeah she was in a corner so maybe she felt attacked? I tried to talk to her gently as I do my other hens but she was bent on keeping those eggs safe I think. thank you

She probably was trying to keep those eggs safe. And if you were collecting eggs, she was right to think you were a "danger" to her clutch of eggs (because you really were planning to take them away from her.)

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

I gently put a scoop over the hen’s head while getting eggs.

 

[Member 671655]

She just laid a third egg. Man alive this poor hen what’s going on with her?? Yes I witnessed her laying all three today

 

[Member 671655]

Probably why she’s moody triplets is hard work

 

[Member 671655]

Or a long-sleeved heavy coat, depending on how far up the arm she grabbed.



Sometimes reaching in differently can help-- from above, from below, from the front or back or side, put a hand on her back before reaching underneath with the other hand, quite a few possible variations.

With some hens, nothing helps, and you are just stuck with protective gear and/or bitten hands & arms.

When a hen is sitting on eggs, some bite and some do not. But I have never heard of anyone successfully training a biter to stop in that situation. (It might be possible, but if so I never happened to hear of it.)

Thank you and will do. I posted a pic of her and the eggs she was protecting lol she’s much better now that she laid her third egg