Mean hens?

[Momlife+chicks]

I have 7 chickens (3 isa Browns and 3 white leghorns) I also have a bantam rooster. The 3 isa Browns are 5 months and they are seriously the sweetest chickens ever! They let us hold them, pet them, they jump up on us and just hang out. But the 3 white leghorns are 4.5 months and they aren’t sweet at all. They peck me whenever I go in the run, they run if I try to touch them, they always “yell” at us, and they are just mean. Are white leghorns usually mean?

 

[azygous]

While it is true that some breeds tend to be more or less aggressive than others, a lot also depends on individual temperament.

But, yes, from the stories I hear about white leghorns, the roos can be real tyrants and the hens aggressive. I had a friend who had a white leghorn rooster on a farm when she was younger. She got so fed up with his aggression and meanness, she shot him one day from her kitchen window with her rifle.

 

[Biddybot]

No, white leghorns, all leghorns really, are not typically mean, they're just high-strung and a little nervous compared to some of the more placid breeds. They fuss more, which is what the complaining and 'yelling' is about, and have more of what I think of as nervous energy...other people would call it being flighty. Chickens vary as much in their dispositions and temperaments as do dogs. You've just got some good examples of the steady eddy type plus some typical nervous nellies. Try to appreciate them for what they are. Leghorns can become very tame, but in a hands-off way, and if they're pecking at you already, then they'll become champion treat-takers in no time and will likely even learn to happily hop up on your knees when you sit with them, as long as you don't 'ruin' it for them by trying to grab at them or even touch them...at least not at first.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The way that I see it is would you rather have nervous but live leghorns or placid easy going fox food like some of the fuzzy butted chickens are.

 

[Alexandra33]

Leghorns have a reputation....they're known to exhibit flighty tendencies as a whole. Naturally, it sounds as though your girls are following their "calling."

There are two types of chook pecks: the aggressive sort, and friendly, curious nips. Are these birds striking in a snake-like fashion, or are they simply getting closer to examine, and then attempting to bite? It makes a world of difference. If they're approaching you, even, that's a huge step a lot of skittish birds won't take.

My 4 Leghorns are what I consider friendly. All are quite mischievous little ladies who make it a point to bite me HARD, though 3/4 of them squawk unhappily when touched.

~Alex