My chicken has started attacking me?

[iPeanut1990]

I had 2 RIR and one turned mean for no reason. I had to re-home her. She was pecking at my legs and stalking me and biting me; I always had to keep one eye on her. Then she started being so mean to the other girls as they were trying to lay their eggs. She'd decide who was allowed to lay and in which nest. I was finding a lot of eggs laid in the run and after watching her for a while I saw why. She would peck at them as they sat in the nest and chase them out of the coop. There was so much tension at egg laying time it was terrible. And she didn't start this behavior until she was about 9 months old.
I tried carrying her around while I did my chicken chores and this worked for a few days then she'd start biting me again. I tried holding her upside down for a bit like I've heard recommended to do for aggressive roosters and again, this worked for a day or two. I put her on Craigslist and found her a new home the next day! I even put that she was mean in the listing... I didn't want to mislead anyone with her. My other RIR is very nice and I still have her. Mine were also from Meyer. I've read they can just turn out mean. Once she left the flock it was so peaceful. Now I feel bad I didn't get rid of her sooner.

I hope mine doesn't end up that way! She's always been the dominant one out of all 3 of them but she's not horrible. I don't really see her picking on the other 2 and she doesn't always attack me but I'll have to keep an eye out over the next few weeks while we're waiting for them to start laying. She's definitely not overly nasty so hopefully she doesn't turn that way.

 

[sourland]

Your hen is not a rooster!

Sensible and correct response. Your pullet is hormonal - about to lay - and is exhibiting her dominance. Don't let her get away with this behavior or it may very well escalate. When she pecks or flies at you, force her gently to the ground and hold her there. Do so until she stops struggling and then release her. Treat her as a rooster or dominant bird would until she gets the message that you are the BOSS>

 

[smhoekzema]

That is definitely not a rooster. You have been gone for long enough that she thinks you have returned to the flock and therefore will try to force you to the bottom of the pecking order. Do not accept any bad behaviour!! Every time you go to the coop walk straight toward her. If she gets aggressive, pin her and gentle make her squat to the ground like a rooster would. Also, pick her up and carry her around regularly. My hatchery quality RIR started this exactly the same time as yours is now. After a little behaviour adjustment (a week or two) she became sooo much better. She is now my favourite girl and comes for cuddles and treats. Don't give up!

 

[agustin1979]

I would wait till she is laying, if she continues after that, chicken sup sounds magnificent!

 

[iPeanut1990]

How far do y'all think we are from getting eggs?? Starting to get excited and impatient!

 

[sourland]

How far do y'all think we are from getting eggs?? Starting to get excited and impatient!

More likely days rather than weeks.

 

[iPeanut1990]

More likely days rather than weeks.

YAY!

I've started checking every time I go out there but nothing yet lol

 

[abserbean]

I'm waiting on eggs from this season's hatch too, should be any day! Good luck with her, I really think she will settle down once she starts laying.

 

[Dawneebird]

My RIR hen attacked my daughter today. She scratched her face all up.

 

[Peeps61]

We need more information in order to comment appropriately. Hopefully, your daughter is OK? How old is your daughter? How old is the hen? What were the circumstances?

I've had RIR's now and in the past. They are some of my favorite hens. They are friendly, talkative and assertive. However, I've always been able to let animals know I'm the boss without too much trouble, so that might be why I've not had any problems with them. I have noticed that sometimes the hens will "take a mini-vacation" and will not want to coop or roost with the others. I can generally chase her into the back of the coop at night so that she's safe, but she will hide out somewhere else during the day.

Hope your daughter is OK.