One day she is nice and now she is mean? Help???

[kota1369]

I have an EE I got about 3 months ago and she was very freindly with with me before. Loved to sit in your lap and be loved like a parrot. Now since my girls have been moved into the garage due to a wicked cold snap she has gotten nasty with me and me only. Pecking at me like she wants to draw blood. But not that way with my partner and we do equal chores. Anyone have any ideas why there has been a change in attitude?
thank you

4 dogs and 4 city chickens

 

[Dar]

My ee hen is the same way.. she will peck yr eye out if yr not careful.

 

[kota1369]

So your saying this is normal? Yikes! Will she chill out once she is back in her pen and not in the garage. My partner says I am her favorite so she is being a jerk to me. I just love this girl and hope she is not always a jerk mto me after this.

4 dogs and 4 city chickens

 

[Dar]

I got my hen when she was already grown so she has always been this way with me but if you have had her since she was a baby then she may chill out

 

[RocketDad]

Our black australorp used to be pretty friendly, but since she started laying she's become a biter. Near as I can figure, she's mad about what happens when she squats - we're not roosters. Just being petted isn't enough. I think.

There may be dominance and submission issues, too. If the birds are in close quarters, maybe they've become more fiesty with one another, and she feels the need to find YOUR place in the pecking order.

We brooded our chicks in the house and handled them daily. All the others are friendly.

 

[LynneP]

RocketDad is right- this is a dominance play- she recognizes your other half as the human roo, and she is displacing you to become 'his bestest hen'. Wear gloves and glasses and handle her a *lot*. When facing her, stand lightly to her left. So if you put her on a roost or platform, leave room for your hand and arm slightly to her right as she faces you. This is the alpha position. Eventually she will give up, it's too much work to fight the one who feeds you.

 

[chookchick]

Are your girls laying yet? If they are right at point of lay they can get nasty--with you and with each other. I imagine they would be particularly bad tempered if their living conditions are changing. If this is the case they will mellow again over time. How cold is it? (is it possible they could stay outside?). Make sure they are getting enough protein and calcium if they are at POL.