Mean Hen, How to break her?

[Mr Hoot]

I got 1 Light Sussex that is louder than rest and more aggressive. Every time I go and feed she comes right up and some times pecks at me. Mostly she is aggressive when I try to mess with her, I can pick her up and pet her but she is always pecking at me. She is not aggressive towards the other birds and I know it is a she because she is the only one laying right know. I do notice when I am trying to pet her she gets in somewhat of a linebacker stance and puffs up her feathers. Is this just her personalty or can she broke to be more friendly?

 

[AlecsMills]

I know the more aggressive hens are the ones that are higher in the pecking order. I have some hens that just hate being handled no matter what, then I have some sweet hens that will accept anybody's chicks if they have to! I do know that once they go broody and want some little chicks they start to hate everything that moves. Maybe she's a grumpy hen? I do have a couple of those that require gloves to gather eggs....

 

[DianaMallory]

I got 1 Light Sussex that is louder than rest and more aggressive. Every time I go and feed she comes right up and some times pecks at me. Mostly she is aggressive when I try to mess with her, I can pick her up and pet her but she is always pecking at me. She is not aggressive towards the other birds and I know it is a she because she is the only one laying right know. I do notice when I am trying to pet her she gets in somewhat of a linebacker stance and puffs up her feathers. Is this just her personalty or can she broke to be more friendly?

I had 3 that were charging me, I don't think they have figured out who is the leader yet. I started standing my ground and when they get ready to peck I gave them a swift bop to the back of their heads, firm but gentle. Now they know who the real leader is! They stopped charging me and now squat down when I reach for them.

 

[NovaAman]

Why do YOU need to handle her? Do you have a rooster? If not, then she may just be taking on his role as head hen and flock super. I have roosters, but I also have a few hens who do not like to be handled at all. I have some that do. I have some that peck my toes, I no longer wear nail polish and flip flops. Lol. They're are some that'll peck the tops of my shoes, or at dirt on my legs, I can get a very dirty girl when working in the yard... But, I don't irritate those hens that come for feed and treats trying to pick them up. I only pull them off the roost when I have too...

 

[Mavrik]

The stance your talking about is a battle challenge. What you do is grab her back and push to the ground and hold her a few seconds after she stop struggling. What your showing her is your the alpha male and not to challenge you.

 

[sourland]

The stance your talking about is a battle challenge. What you do is grab her back and push to the ground and hold her a few seconds after she stop struggling. What your showing her is your the alpha male and not to challenge you.

Absolutely!

 

[Nicole01]

Pick her up, carry her around frequently. If she will let you, set her on your lap and pet her. Hold her until she's calm, but gently. I had a mean hen that calmed down. She does resort back to her habits and I do get nipped. Sometimes she draws blood. I pick her up and carry her around for a day or two, which works for 3-6 months before it happens again. She's not the top hen either. Just a RIR with attitude.

I can bet you if I never handled her, she'd be a lot nastier. She is my top layer though!

When she's not in her mean spouts, she is as sweet as can be! I love her to pieces!

 

[Mr Hoot]

Thanks. I was thinking she was just being a grumpy one. I would like to get all my hens docile because I would like my kids to be able to enjoy them without worry.