new question from a newbie

[Folly's place]

Some of my birds will defend their nest box when they are laying, not only when broody. I know who they are, and hold the hen back with one hand while getting eggs out of that box.
Throwing scratch out there will help too. I discourage 'body contact' issues; nobody pecks me, or jumps on me!
You might want to read beekissed's article about managing roosters, and apply some of her techniques to your girls. Walk through them, never around. Carry a stick or something to tap them out of your way, and just generally have them respect your space.
Stop hand feeding if that's what you've been doing, and don't have them near your face, ever.
Mary

 

[red mommy]

I inherited the hens. The previous owner stated that they were a year in age and were laying previous to us getting them. For the most part, they are sweet, they eat out of my hands and like jumping on my back. I have had issues with them however; when it has come to cleaning their nest box. Not all of the time, just certain times, which as I understand now, they don't like me doing it during the time one of them is laying and when they want to jump on me and I don't let them.
I clean their area so often because from the very first night they made one of the nesting boxes their bed, we took out 2 slats to make more room. The other box, where they lay their eggs, they keep clean-always, its just where they sleep. I don't want them to lay in their own poop. I go in their run daily, several times and I do the "diversion" with food tactic when I am doing something that I don't want them crowding around for.

 

[aart]

I clean their area so often because from the very first night they made one of the nesting boxes their bed

I wondered if this was the issue....need to stop that habit pronto, so you won't have to clean the nests daily.
Roosts should be about 12" higher than the nests and have 12" of length per bird.
Pics of your coop with roosts and nest shown would help us help you solve this issue.

 

[Folly's place]

They should NOT be jumping on your back!!! This behavior is very dominant on their part, and doesn't send the message that you are the bringer of food, but not in their pecking order, and below them in it. Small wonder that they are offended when you step out of line...
Mary

 

[red mommy]

I wondered if this was the issue....need to stop that habit pronto, so you won't have to clean the nests daily.
Roosts should be about 12" higher than the nests and have 12" of length per bird.
Pics of your coop with roosts and nest shown would help us help you solve this issue.

The coop is a Precision that I bought at Rural King and my husband is currently making plans for building a new coop and expanding the run area, etc. The coop has a nesting bar but its right over this pull out cleaning pan and not #12 inches higher. This current coop is getting trashed and I can't wait for the new one.

 

[m3shelly]

I just had my second day of laying yesterday. I walked out to the nest after I heard the laying song, she was out of the nest, but flew up at me when a grabbed the egg. I simply shushed her down, and then offered her treats in trade for her egg. That worked, but we free range, so there's lots of room for them to go while I'm cleaning.

 

[red mommy]

They should NOT be jumping on your back!!! This behavior is very dominant on their part, and doesn't send the message that you are the bringer of food, but not in their pecking order, and below them in it. Small wonder that they are offended when you step out of line...
Mary

Believe it or not I have been buying books, reading and watching a lot of stuff on the internet and have been going through this site looking for information. I found a thread that included pictures of owners with their babies perched on their backs with no negative comments. I have since found a short blurb in reference to chicken/human pecking order issues. Since then, I have been very cognizant, changed my behavior and have not allowed them to jump on me.

I believe that it is prudent to be as prepared and educated as possible beforehand in these matters but given the circumstances of how are girls came to us we did not have a lot of time to research everything and I'm learning as we go.

As someone who is still learning, I am looking for guidance from those that have much more experience and knowledge than I.

 

[red mommy]

I just had my second day of laying yesterday. I walked out to the nest after I heard the laying song, she was out of the nest, but flew up at me when a grabbed the egg. I simply shushed her down, and then offered her treats in trade for her egg. That worked, but we free range, so there's lots of room for them to go while I'm cleaning.

Due to the area where we live, I cannot free range them. So I have changed the times that I clean and I always bring in their treats to distract them when I do but even then they get curious.

 

[Folly's place]

My birds are all on lockdown right now, because of a hawk visitation last week. Nobody is happy about it! I'm feeding some goodies when I go out there to give them something else to do, at least for a while, and it does help a bit. Getting in and out of the coop and run without escapees is tricky, though!
Mary

 

[red mommy]

I hope no one got hurt :O( There are too many predators in my area to allow them to free range. We are working on some ideas where we can get them out but maintain their safety at the same time. While their not used to free ranging, they all huddle at the door. Since they like to follow me, Ive been pulling grass and placing it through the chicken wire to get their attention and when they're all there I run to the door and can usually get there before they do. This has been a daily routine, I am sure if anyone saw me they'd get a good laugh but so far its been working.