Is she being freakishly friendly or trying to bully me?

[bjdewell]

Rather than using a broom or other object that might be frighteningly aggressive, I suggest treating her the way I treat my cockerels. That is, walk through her. Not in a challenging way, but simply as a force of nature -- the way a cow or a horse would walk where it intends to walk and not divert for a little ball of feathers.

You should see me doing my chicken chores. I'm wading through the flock saying "Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me," like a line from an old comedy movie as I go from point A to point B without ever diverting to walk around a chicken.

Now and then I have to push one with my boot, but I never act as if I'm challenging them.

When I have cockerels I often unnecessarily rearrange coop and run furniture so that I have an excuse to do this that isn't directly challenging them. For example, I pick up a bucket, carry it in a straight line through the place that the cockerel is standing, then set it down. Pick up a lawn chair, carry it in a straight line through the place that the other cockerel is standing, and put it down. And so on.

But never as a direct challenge, always just doing what I'm doing and going through that space because I'm The Giant Who Brings Food and not part of the flock at all.



I have lost count of the times I've stepped on the Cochin's foot feathers because she's right there hoping I'll drop something she can grab before the others get to it.

This is an interesting thing to do. My four Black Australorps love to run to me and crowd around, especially when it's treat time. I always go around them, etc. I'm going to try doing what you do. By reading some of these posts, I'm seeing how much we need to be at the top of the pecking order, just like I'm the pack leader with my dog. Same idea, I guess, and so interesting! Thank you!

 

[raingarden]

I'm old, feeble, and cognizant of trip hazards. A bird that gets in the way gets the boot. They're fast learners. If you don't do corporal punishment then try a squirt gun.

 

[bjdewell]

I'm old, feeble, and cognizant of trip hazards. A bird that gets in the way gets the boot. They're fast learners. If you don't do corporal punishment then try a squirt gun.

Yes, I love this! This morning for the first time, I flapped my arms and yelled and rushed at her, and she was so startled she backed up and flapped HER wings. Then I used my thumb and first two fingers to create a "beak" and "pecked" her back and neck, where I could as suggested by another commenter. She kept backing away like she couldn't believe what was going on. So funny! I think I'm going to solve this problem. But I love the idea of a squirt gun, and am going to buy one!

 

[3KillerBs]

By reading some of these posts, I'm seeing how much we need to be at the top of the pecking order, just like I'm the pack leader with my dog.

I think it was @Folly's place who taught me not to be part of the flock at all but, instead, to be The Giant Who Brings Food -- a force of nature outside the pecking order the way a cow or a horse would be.

There are no guarantees, but so far I've had very good luck with this philosophy.

 

[bjdewell]

I think it was @Folly's place who taught me not to be part of the flock at all but, instead, to be The Giant Who Brings Food -- a force of nature outside the pecking order the way a cow or a horse would be.

There are no guarantees, but so far I've had very good luck with this philosophy.

Yes, I loved that, "The Giant Who Brings Food -- a force of nature outside the pecking order the way a cow or a horse would be." I think I sat up a little straighter when I read that! LOL

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, I loved that, "The Giant Who Brings Food -- a force of nature outside the pecking order the way a cow or a horse would be." I think I sat up a little straighter when I read that! LOL

They crowd around me hoping for treats as I enter the coop and run, but they focus on their chicken business instead of on me after I've been there for a few minutes.