Mean chickens

[rosemarysugar]

some chickens are mean by genetic.

Yes! that to.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

That’s what I said

 

[debhall354]

I found that Wyandotte birds need lots of room.

How much space do they have

Personally I prefer not to keep birds that are mean to flock mates or humans.

Are they actually going after your grand daughter?
I mean actually seeking her out to attack her?

 

[debhall354]

They don’t actively go after the children, but if they’re near they will peck at her. She loves hanging with the girls, and I don’t want her to be afraid of them. I’m not a fan of having meanies, but I’m at a loss of what to do

 

[debhall354]

We have 1/2 acre, and they are allowed to roam often

 

[21hens-incharge]

It sounds like your gals have a big personal space bubble.

I would be concerned if the chickens are drawing blood on the kiddo.

Are they after treats she is handing out when they are being agressive?
If so I would change how the great giving us done.
No hand feeding for the kiddo but letting her scatter the treats instead may help.

 

[Clemmy]

oh sorry, I miss read that their was no feather picking. if they are just picking on her with no physical damage to her body, I would say leave it until it becomes too excessive. then, if that happens I would definitely separate them until it gets better. if the aggresion comes too far, you might need to give away one of your hens, but only at an extreme. for now, wait it out or if you're nervous, I would seperate them with a divider in your coop.

I hope this helps. sorry for the misunderstanding!

 

[Clemmy]

srry- I didnt mean to attach the coop!

 

[aart]

Some chickens just peck hard when hand feeding, most little kids can't handle that.
Hand fed bird can also get a bit food aggressive as they come of age.
this is what I do when that happens, not sure a 5yo child could understand how to be 'dominant'.

Have had this 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.