Interesting sudden change in behavior of a chicken

[Pork Pie]

Maybe it depends on what your end-game is. If you want a lap-chicken, then something will have to change (maybe feeding her treats while she is on your lap), but if you are happy for her to be part of the general flock, then i would not let her up on your lap. To be honest, as she has flock mates, I would doubt that the lap-sitting desire will last for much longer (I could be wrong, of course - but thats my experience).

 

[Ravynscroft]

Maybe, what should I do now, should I at all change in the way I do things? should I avoid allowing her on my lap? it's strange because she comes by herself yet still only wants my lap, my hand gets her nervous...

Allow her on your lap but try to avoid petting her and see if that makes a difference... CTKen is correct that when they get to 'teenage' phase they can be a bit moody...

It might also be the predator/prey instinct reacting... hands that come down are much like hawks swooping to a prey animal...

 

[AustralorpsAU]

I know you wanted the attention back on your pullet but i thought i would give you some info on handling cockerels. The majority of people in the thread below that handled their cockerels turned out to be aggressive ones. This said there are always exceptions and i am not saying this is how yours will turn out. Sorry to change focus again but i thought you might find this interesting!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...the-best-way-to-handle-them/220#post_17442746

 

[AustralorpsAU]

I am also just having a complete guess here but I'm thinking she is just testing her limits and seeing where she stands on the pecking order. If he can push you around (as in biting you) then she is above you. Again just a total guess

 

[cukuriku]

I am also just having a complete guess here but I'm thinking she is just testing her limits and seeing where she stands on the pecking order. If he can push you around (as in biting you) then she is above you. Again just a total guess

It seems like most arent't getting it. The cockerel gave me no problems yet, ONLY the hen is biting and being moody, but thanks for the article eitherway, at least I could read up about roosters, so they dont get too comfy etc

 

[AustralorpsAU]

It seems like most arent't getting it. The cockerel gave me no problems yet, ONLY the hen is biting and being moody, but thanks for the article eitherway, at least I could read up about roosters, so they dont get too comfy etc

Yes we understand that the cockerel hasnt given you any trouble yet. We r only trying to give you some advice for future. Sorry that i changed focus !

 

[ambergds]

When one of my pullets pecks at me I peck back. I take my pointer finger and poke their chest. Not hard but hard enough to get my point across. I repeat as many times as necessary until they get the point that I am not to be messed with.

 

[cukuriku]

When one of my pullets pecks at me I peck back. I take my pointer finger and poke their chest. Not hard but hard enough to get my point across. I repeat as many times as necessary until they get the point that I am not to be messed with.

And what does that accomplish, avoiding becoming the bottom of the pecking order? And also, is it successful or do they still fight at it? I'm just trying to understand chicken nature, so just explain if you dont mind what they're trying to do to you and what you're trying to do back (and also how they receive it...) thanx

 

[cukuriku]

Yes we understand that the cockerel hasnt given you any trouble yet. We r only trying to give you some advice for future. Sorry that i changed focus !

don't worry abt the changed focus, i appreciate the side help, it's definitely kind of you to mention it since it's been already mentioned!

 

[ambergds]

And what does that accomplish, avoiding becoming the bottom of the pecking order? And also, is it successful or do they still fight at it? I'm just trying to understand chicken nature, so just explain if you dont mind what they're trying to do to you and what you're trying to do back (and also how they receive it...) thanx

Yes you have to speak their language. Chickens understand pecking order and who is the top and who is the bottom. They establish this order by literally pecking. I prefer my chickens see me as the nice human that brings them food and not a chicken but sometimes they get confused and think they can peck me, usually when they are maturing. I have never had a mature hen peck me. I think of it like the teenage phase. Yes it does work, I don't have to repeat my pecks back very many times.