Killer Hen

[Creteloc]

So my sweet sweet Speckled Sussex that I hand raised along with her three sisters has started attacking me! They are all 4 months old and have been raised being held and cuddled. They are the sweetest birds, except one, which all of a sudden has started trying to attack me.

Until the new coop is built, they are living in my garage in what is going to be their run. It's a 5x10ft gated enclosure with a house and then they get to go outside and play. Lately, when I go to watch them, she'll hunch down and fly at me, slamming into the bars while squawking. The others still come to me and beg for scratch or want to be held. My daughters still get to see four loving birds.

Any idea what's up??

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Is it a cockerel? Hand raised boys often become demons.

Can you post pics?

 

[aart]

Is it a cockerel? Hand raised boys often become demons.

Can you post pics?

Good point!

But even pullets can do this.....
Have had it happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

 

[Creteloc]

Here's Curry, she was trying to get to me so it was hard to get a clear picture.

 

[Creteloc]

I actually had to put the hen back in the pen instead of letting her free range today. She kept charging me. I tried pinning her down but I had to get to work and I was afraid she may attack one of the kids. I'll try again. I'm pretty sure she's a she. Could she calm maybe once she starts laying? I've never had one of my hand-raised hens behave like this.