Pullet suddenly pecking us

[Shadrach]

So I have this pullet, she's 19 weeks. She has stopped running away when we reach out our arms but will peck us really hard. I got a few good welts from her today. Hormones? Will this stop once her hormones stabilize?

If you're getting pecked when trying to hand feed her, or any other chickens for that matter, feeding them like this usually puts a stop to it after a couple of goes. Feed the feed up your closed fist.

If she's pecking you because your bugging her for the sake of it then leaving her alone should sovle that.

 

[Coops Dad]

Why are you handling her?

 

[Crystal Chicken]

Why are you handling her?

I wasn't. She came up to me while I was just hanging out and normally when I reach my hand towards them they scatter, but this time she didn't and decided I'd be a nice snack I do handle them to check their pin bones because I want them to start laying! But that's all.

I LOVE THIS! I had a roo puff up at me and I puffed up bigger and he never tried again. My girls only peck my polished toe nails or a SCAB!!!! watch out on those.

Oh man those are brutal! I have that happen a lot. I had given myself a good cut and splinter that stuck around for a while on my ankle! So awful.!

I have 9 coming into lay right now, and I seem to have this issue with 4 of them. They come up kind of doing their warning "growl", like when they want another chicken to give up the food bowl or to get out of their space. They sometimes lightly run at and peck my feet, too! Picking them up, bopping heads gently, or submitting them seems to make them settle down. I'm not sure if it's posturing for dominance or sort of a weird way of attracting a rooster for "attention" but I've never had a grown hen continue this behavior. They do seem happier/calmer after a pick-up or squat, surprisingly, instead of just avoiding me afterwards.

Oh is that what that growl is oops! Not that I'd be running from them anyways because they want me out of their space good to know though!

 

[Crystal Chicken]

If you're getting pecked when trying to hand feed her, or any other chickens for that matter, feeding them like this usually puts a stop to it after a couple of goes. Feed the feed up your closed fist.
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If she's pecking you because your bugging her for the sake of it then leaving her alone should sovle that.

Yes she does peck us when hand feeding so I will be trying that.

I never go to her to bug her. She will 99% of the time run to me if I crouch down, and then if I don't offer her food she's looking to take my arm.