Last straw, ive had it with this HEN!!!

[eeiko321]

2 hens ive got....

older girl and younger one....


the older one a New Hampshire Red, has never caused me headaches, never escapes.... she lets me pick her up. lets me stroke her. and nearly to the point she seems obedient, very very friendly but at times slightly nervous with sudden movements from me.
i usually let her out of the run and let her forage & she never leaves out of my yard (i have no fence to the street)
she was once a free range till i caught her but she has responded very well with human interacting.


the younger one an Isa Brown, when i first bought her as a pullet, very calm, friendly, easy to pat.

now its TOTALLY opposite!.. it doesnt seem the months ive had her interacted with humans so well.

its aggressive towards me, it is very greedy with the food, snatches food from the older girl...it pecks me when i carry her and dislikes it when i pat her.
it always tries to escape...and when she does, she runs out to the streets to the neighbours etc.

i understand chickens are not dogs or cats...and are live stock that are simple....
but ive seriously had enough of this one........
its really hanging there by a thread before i get rid of her........

any suggestions?.....i guess we cant train them after all...

if theres no way to change her... i dont beleive in eating chickens.......and i wont slaughter it....
where can i take it that will accept her? aS i also am not keen on letting her go in the wild.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

My guess would be that she thinks she's the dominant hen. I've heard of ways to make roosters submissive to you by picking them up and holding them, no matter how much they struggle while you just carry them around doing work or whatever. Then try and set it down. If she struggles to break free when you go to set her down, pick her back up and hold her more. Repeat this until she gets the message and stops struggling every time you try and set her down. Hope this helps.

 

[rooster-red]

When she pecks you while holding her, grab her beak and hold onto it for about 30 seconds, don't let go no matter how much she fusses.

I've found that doing that will break them of the pecking habit after 3-4 times.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

If you are finished with her and have had enough, put her on craigslist as a young laying hen free to good home. Someone will take her and give her a home.

 

[debilorrah]

I have that problem with our dominant hen. She raises hell when I pick her up, BUT if I can get her in a football hold, she calms right down and I can pet her. Just make sure to keep her away from your eyes.

 

[eeiko321]

Quote:
well the funny thing is....the younger one ISNT the dominant one in the pecking order.
the older & much more friendly calmer girl is.

i was holding her whilst picking up something and mistakingly my head moved closer to the hen
and to my suprise..this time she bit my lip so hard an basically grabbed hold of it and kinda tore at it.......

i was furious!

what is a craiglist?

one more doosie from this hen......and its outa here.......ive had it.....

 

[WoodlandWoman]

How old is she? Is she going through her teenage phase? She might settle down later. If she doesn't, she might do great at someone else's house.

 

[the1much]

Quote:
i agree with R.R. ,,, that and next time ya feed them,,, DONT let her eat till last,, stay there next to the food, and every time she comes to eat, chase her away,, then after a few times of that, pass her some food,, throw it down to her,, you just need to teach her your the alpha hen

 

[eeiko321]

Quote:
hi there

well i bought her about 3 months ago or so
and now i think shes about 9 months, the eggs are starting to get bigger.

do they actually settle down? after how long?

yes the old girl is very settled, when i hold her i practically would be able to kiss her head without being pecked.