Sassy chicken body slams me when I enter coop!

[sesameandginger]

Every time I enter the run and open the coop, my black star hen (top ranking official in the flock haha) will run at me and bump into me, making herself known! I can't tell if she wants attention/affection or she's expressing anger at me? She doesn't try to peck me or make noise, just uses her body to strongly nudge my leg, although today when I confronted her, she flew up and kinda gestured like a peck was imminent! Anyone experience such an expressive bird?! Maybe she is just bored or mad that I didn't open the door early enough? Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Nannychickchick]

Hi, I used to have a girl like that, I think its just " what time do you call this?" Take some treats in your pocket and give hers 1st, see what happens!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you post photos of her?
How old is she?

I've never had a hen body slam me. Could be she's showing dominance toward you (?) Most unwanted behavior in pullets/hens can be corrected with a "peck" to the back of the neck. Use your finger and peck her, but only at the time she is misbehaving.

@azygous has a better understanding of behavior and correction than I do, so hopefully she will chime in

 

[lazy gardener]

She needs some dominance training. Aggression from an animal of any gender or species is not acceptable.

 

[azygous]

The single most helpful thing I've discovered to curb aggressive behavior in a hen is an old fashioned fly swatter. Make it red or orange if you have a color choice.

A swift swat on the butt sends a powerful message. After that, merely grabbing the swatter and brandishing it will do the trick. Chickens have excellent memories. She'll keep her distance after she gets a taste of The Swatter.

 

[Folly's place]

You can walk through her, as you would a cockerel, and 'accidently' bump her with an object. Any object. The feeder, a stick, that fly swatter; something unpleasant that extends your reach, and your space. No bird jumps on me!!!
Mary

 

[PlymouthRockExpert]

she just wants some lovin. my partridge rock hen Gertrude is MEAN, for example, just yesterday I entered the coop to do my daily maintenance and she was in there. so when she noticed me she flew at my chest and locked her talons into my coat and proceeded to try and basically eat my face off. so yeah yours just want love!

 

[BantyChooks]

You can walk through her, as you would a cockerel, and 'accidently' bump her with an object. Any object. The feeder, a stick, that fly swatter; something unpleasant that extends your reach, and your space. No bird jumps on me!!!
Mary

Aggressive hens are just as pesky as aggressive roosters. I have had red stars take chunks out of my legs.

 

[Feathyr]

Usually, waving your arms at the attacking bird is enough to deter them. Stronger cases get chased around a coop with a broom. They tend to leave me alone after that; guess they don't want to be swept off their feet.

When I first began raising chickens at ten years old, we had a RIR hen who let me know that she hated me. I tried everything imaginable - waving my arms, chasing her, even squirting her with the garden hose once. My last resort was giving her a light smack with a broom. She left me alone, mellowed out and was one of the friendliest birds we ever owned until she died at seven years of age.

*Edited by staff*

 

[chickens really]

If you hand feed or treat them with stuff other than feed?.
Of course they get pushy..

*Edited by staff*