RIR being aggressive

[chickman70]

Hi, I have a 25 week old RIR being aggressive toward my wife and I. She started laying a few days ago and is pecking at our hands when we pet her and the back of our legs when we walk in front of her also. The weather has gotten a lot colder in the last few weeks(60's to 30's,20's at night in a unheated coop). We let them free range on the weekends and all summer long...when we could. Is there any given reason or is she just being a cranky bird? Thanks for the help.... Chickman

 

[aart]

New egg layers can act pretty goofy....and most chickens really don't like to be 'petted'...she may calm down once she gets her laying routine down which can take up to a month or so.

I'd just give her a peck back with the tip of your finger on her head/beak....or a soft boot/push with your foot.
If she continues, grab her and hold her down until she calms, then let her go.

 

[theoldchick]

Let's see a picture of this bird. Either you have a cockerel asserting his dominance or you have a dominant pullet showing her dominance.

 

[chickman70]

Here are my girls! I can't remember the other ones breed either.

 

[Percheron chick]

The gold hen is an EE. Only the 2? That can be part of the problem.

 

[chickman70]

Yes only the 2 to start... We are flying under the wire so to speak... This spring I'm getting 5 more! We were told they won't lay unless there are 4 or more but that has been proven wrong. What's the idea behind only 2? Better in numbers?? Thanks for the help!!

 

[Percheron chick]

Dominant hens will do better in larger flocks. Keeps them busy and they can spread the love around.

Isn't it funny the advise people give.

 

[chickman70]

Sorry for the ignorance but what does EE stand for? Easter egger?

 

[Percheron chick]

Easter egger

 

[NotableNancy]

I had a very dominant RIR with 12 other hens (including another RIR who was not aggressive at all) and she never got better. Only worse. Pecking me, chasing the other hens, kicking them out of the nests when they tried to lay their eggs and more. I tried giving her a little peck back, and moved on to isolating her in a cage within the run for a few days, carried her around under my arm as I did chicken chores to show her who was boss. It would work for a few days then she'd get bold again. I had to re-home her and I've heard those people had to pass her along to someone else too.

I would just keep an eye on yours and make sure she's not being to mean to your EE. Hopefully she gets better but if not you may have to re-home when you get the other 5 in the spring.
I think people recommend more than 2 just because if something happens to one of them the other will be incredibly lonely. Try to keep them busy this winter with lots of roosts to hang out on, places for the EE to hide if needed and there are actually a few chicken 'toys' that can occupy them. Like a hanging head of cabbage or putting some cracked corn in one of those dog 'kong' toys.

Good luck with her. Hopefully her attitude changes for the better.