Mean Hen

[Disheygirl]

I have a flock of eight girls - all roughly the same age…half are maybe two months younger but they’re coming up on about a year old.

One - a golden laced Wyandotte - is a big B. She’s always been a jerk to me - she will peck at me if I am in the coop or petting any of her flock mates and she’s nearby. And not “hm, your pants have a pattern on them, I must peck to see if it’s edible” but an intentional and aggressive “I’m gonna mess you up” peck or five, usually aiming for exposed skin (the back of my hand is her favorite).

She is about mid to low on the pecking order and now she’s started being a B to my favorite hen (Muffy) who is at the bottom. She doesn’t bother anyone else but is a purposeful jerk to Muffy and for no reason. Plenty of food stations. When I feed scratch I throw it over a big area, but the bully follows and pecks Muffy.

I don’t kill animals but I’m genuinely considering making her into soup. When I check them at night or when I’m trying to do mite checks, I don’t need her fluffy butt trying to peck my hands and arms. She’s just rude. Is there anything I can do to assert my dominance? Hold her like a baby? Peck the back of her head with my fingers (which I’ve tried and she will hide for two seconds and then peck back when I’m not watching her)? Her eggs aren’t even that great - on the small side..what do people do with trifling hens?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Eat her, if you're willing to do so. Rehome with disclosure of her behavior. Or be a lot more persistent about "pecking her back" every time she tries anything funny with you - make sure you're doing it hard enough to get a reaction out of her (a dsigrunted squawk is what I go for).

 

[Coops Dad]

I'd eat her. I've done it with plenty of roosters and, if a hen was persistent in her aggression, I'd welcome a tender-er carcass in the crockpot. Oh yes. Carrots, potatoes, celery, a little soy sauce for umami, black pepper, sea salt and then pack it out with dumplings.

Want to re-home her?

 

[Mrs. K]

This bird is ruining the whole experience for you. At that age, you could sell her easily. A bigger flock, a more farm like flock, and she probably won't be a problem.

Always solve for peace in the flock, and peace for the owner.

Mrs K

 

[Crazychickengirl2]

Gt' Rid of her. Whether that way is culling or re-homing.