new question from a newbie

[red mommy]

My girls seem to get agitated when I clean out their coop especially the nesting box lately. Last week two of them jumped on my back while I was in an upright position to get to the box and the other ran inside the coop. Today, two jumped up on the edge and was staring at the box, me and started acting a bit "off". Fluffy laid an egg that I had placed on a higher portion of the coop and jumped up to get at that. I was afraid she would crack it and took the egg, all 3 flew down on the ground and displayed more aggressive behavior, Fluffy and Dory both pecked me and behaved like they would peck more. I talked to them sternly and lightly poked Dory on the back and they went back to eating. Is this normal behavior?

 

[SueT]

Are they Rhode Island Reds ? These and red hybrids are reported to be aggressive. I had one, and will never get another.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to BYC!
Are you cleaning the coop during laying hours???? That behavior sounds normal.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

My girls seem to get agitated when I clean out their coop especially the nesting box lately. Last week two of them jumped on my back while I was in an upright position to get to the box and the other ran inside the coop. Today, two jumped up on the edge and was staring at the box, me and started acting a bit "off". Fluffy laid an egg that I had placed on a higher portion of the coop and jumped up to get at that. I was afraid she would crack it and took the egg, all 3 flew down on the ground and displayed more aggressive behavior, Fluffy and Dory both pecked me and behaved like they would peck more. I talked to them sternly and lightly poked Dory on the back and they went back to eating. Is this normal behavior?

 

[red mommy]

Yes, they are RIR's and apparently I am. I work, so it's been hard to ascertain exactly when they are laying, when I come home from work and check the nesting box it doesn't bother them. I guess I should be more cognizant but will they remember. this and hold bird grudges or forget quickly?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

My RIR were always the most aggressive birds......They are great layers but didn’t tolerate human company!

 

[snow5164]

Are they Rhode Island Reds ? These and red hybrids are reported to be aggressive. I had one, and will never get another.

Reported by who ?

I’ve had both and not been attacked by either ..... blanket statements don’t help at all.
Each bird has traits but also it’s own personality

Change your cleaning times , mine lay in the early morning , so I clean in the evenings, also I can give them fruit/veggie cut offs then because they’ve spent the day eating their layer pellets .... good luck

 

[SueT]

Reported by who ?

I’ve had both and not been attacked by either ..... blanket statements don’t help at all.
Each bird has traits but also it’s own personality

yes, you are right, it's not fair to generalize --ever since I ended up w an aggressive RIR, I tend to only notice the frequency of others writing about their aggressive RIRs and not see the good reports of which there must be many such as yours.

 

[snow5164]

I get it though , my experience is the opposite , my first flock was 15 red sex links no roosters, they loved me , too much sometimes , watching them get old so soon was hard .

My rir was laying already when I got her and my flock was chicks , I called her Big Mama because she “ mothered” everyone....

Have a great day

 

[aart]

I talked to them sternly and lightly poked Dory on the back and they went back to eating. Is this normal behavior?

Good move!
They will get used to you being in there.
Are they new layers?
I toss scratch in run when I want to clean, usually first thing in the morning, to get them out of the way.