Mean, mean "Attilla the Hen"

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Hi @chloeonz and @Orit!!! In retrospect now, I'm glad too, that I started this thread! I always hesitate, but sometimes frustration - when hit my wits end made me write - so I'm glad it's been helpful!!! A lot of BYC friends have amazing insights and ideas, and totally agree that this site is just an amazing resource with great folks!

I'm still hassling on & off - with my Attila, & yesterday I realized she's sliding back into broodiness again... ugh! I will probably put her back in isolation, in a crate so she can't sneak onto the nesting boxes, but she's still laying... And the bullying the peeps off the roost is starting again too (which seems to go hand in hand with her being broody). Half the peeps (some of which are full grown and a few have begun to lay) are back to being huddled on the floor... & though I put them up on the roost at night - by hand, they jump off, as soon as I shut the door & walk away. The cardboard divider is a really good idea... I need to try that tonight for sure!

I will also put the Pinless Peepers back on her - which I've had to do a few more times since this thread began - BOY I am glad to have them! I felt totally terrible - the first time I used them on her... but that's past, and they're just GREAT to have on hand. But it only seems to stop the nonsense for about 2 weeks after I take them off... then it's back to being nasty Attila... which I'm starting to realize is just her personality.

I just want to have a happy little flock... and my dismay has made my husband say I should start thinking of trying to re-home her... but that's better than the cook pot... as I venture to guess that she tastes as nasty as she behaves... Oof...
I can hear your frustration with Attila! I have enjoyed reading about her! She does have a strong personality. My bully also has the strongest personality in the flock, even though she is lowest in the pecking order. She sneaks up behind people and gives them nasty pecks that make you jump. I always warn people to look out for her because she bites :). But she will also let you snuggle and caress her for hours and is so snuggly. However, she is the one that gets past my recycling can barrier all the time and walks up to the back door to call me. She has even, on several occasions, jumped through the hole in the netting (that I need to fix) into the kitchen. When I unload groceries, I return to the car and find her inside. She's so curious and bold! The cook pot is not an option. As you stated earlier, these girls are our pets. Rehoming doesn't feel like an option either. I'm going to tough it out and see what happens. I was secretly relieved to read that I'm not the only one who goes through these shenanigans at bedtime, early in the am, etc... Good luck with Attila! Based on your descriptions, she does seem like a keeper (you did mention that she was very lovable before the babies came) although I understand that you need to do what you need to do.
 
I can hear your frustration with Attila! I have enjoyed reading about her! She does have a strong personality. My bully also has the strongest personality in the flock, even though she is lowest in the pecking order. She sneaks up behind people and gives them nasty pecks that make you jump. I always warn people to look out for her because she bites :). But she will also let you snuggle and caress her for hours and is so snuggly. However, she is the one that gets past my recycling can barrier all the time and walks up to the back door to call me. She has even, on several occasions, jumped through the hole in the netting (that I need to fix) into the kitchen. When I unload groceries, I return to the car and find her inside. She's so curious and bold! The cook pot is not an option. As you stated earlier, these girls are our pets. Rehoming doesn't feel like an option either. I'm going to tough it out and see what happens. I was secretly relieved to read that I'm not the only one who goes through these shenanigans at bedtime, early in the am, etc... Good luck with Attila! Based on your descriptions, she does seem like a keeper (you did mention that she was very lovable before the babies came) although I understand that you need to do what you need to do.

Hahah.... I had to laugh reading this, I call mine "people" too LOL! My husband laughs at me! But they're my people... my peeps. :love Just made me smile to read you say that too.
Yeah, I couldn't ever eat them - It would be awful... I"m just gonna ride it out and put the Pinless peepers back on her today... she's growling terribly this morning, and striking out at the others when they try and come by the food bowls... It's seriously -better than TV drama/sit com... I don't let mine free range - but know they'd be up on the deck, and in the house if they had 1/2 a chance! She does love people, and lets me hold her and pet her... (Not as snuggly as the Orpingtons) but loving... to me... This whole thing's better than TV... haha... that's for sure!
 
Hahah.... I had to laugh reading this, I call mine "people" too LOL! My husband laughs at me! But they're my people... my peeps. :love Just made me smile to read you say that too.
Yeah, I couldn't ever eat them - It would be awful... I"m just gonna ride it out and put the Pinless peepers back on her today... she's growling terribly this morning, and striking out at the others when they try and come by the food bowls... It's seriously -better than TV drama/sit com... I don't let mine free range - but know they'd be up on the deck, and in the house if they had 1/2 a chance! She does love people, and lets me hold her and pet her... (Not as snuggly as the Orpingtons) but loving... to me... This whole thing's better than TV... haha... that's for sure!
While I do sometimes refer to them as my peeps, I actually meant that my sweet bully sneaks up behind humans and "attacks". Whenever there are people in the yard, I have to warn them about her. None of the other chickens do that. And when she "bites", it really hurts. It feels very intentional because she sneaks up behind you where you can't see her. She's smart!

A lot of the behavior you're describing about Atilla sounds like broodiness - the growling, especially when others (hens :) get near (whether on the nest or not). I continue to maintain that she has a complicated personality :) And, for sure, way better than TV drama!!! :)
 

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