- Oct 5, 2009
- 16
- 0
- 22
Hi Folks,
I've only had two chickens my whole life, so I don't know what is relevant and what is not- forgive me if I include too many details.
I got these chickens in July and raised them in a box in my livingroom- a Welsumer and a Rock, both hens. By Christmas, they were bigger, but it was too cold (so I thought) to put them out yet, so I built a coop in the garage (I don't park my car in there). In the spring, I put the coop and a really nice run I'd build out in the back. The first night I saw a skunk hanging around (never saw one on my property), so I moved the chickens in and reenforced the coop. Again, ready to move them out, the night before, a storm comes and the top of a near by pine tree as thick as a telephone pole falls down and crushes the run. They have been in the garage ever since. I let them out every day except in weather below 32 deg. When I do, they come back in like a half hour anyway.
Ok, so a year ago, the dynamic in my family changed. Last summer, my wife got laid off. Previously, I took complete care of the chickens. I fed them, I let them out, I cleaned their coop, I let them in, I searched all night when they didn't come home, everything. But since my wife has been home, she lets them out every morning, and gives them bread. My son is now old enough to do chores, so he chases them down every evening before sundown and gets them in the garage. All I do now is feed /water them and clean the coop.
Now last summer, one evening when hearding them into the garage, the Rock, Godzilla, turned at me and took a very agressive stance. I chalked it up to her not wanting to go in too early when there was still play time because I have always been able to pick them up at will. I noticed it a few times after that as well. Now comes this spring and if I am in the yard and I go near her, she will go for my feet and peck hard, especially if I have now shoes. She will take a very agressive stance and not budge an inch if I happen to be going in her direction, and today when I brought some bread out for them, she was more interested in attacking me than eating.
She does NOT act this way to my wife and my son, and the other chicken does not act this way to me. One more thing, she is not the top hen or whatever you call it. Mothera is (the Welsomer). They both lay eggs so I know she's not a roo, though I did think she was when she was born. It can't be a adolescent thing because it started when she was a year old and had already been laying for six months. Besides, why only agressive to me?
Anyone know why this happens and what I can do about it? I read somewhere that to deal with an agressive roo, pick them up and carry them around in a comfortable way for 10 minutes a day. Would that work here? SHe doesn't attack once I am carrying her.
I've only had two chickens my whole life, so I don't know what is relevant and what is not- forgive me if I include too many details.
I got these chickens in July and raised them in a box in my livingroom- a Welsumer and a Rock, both hens. By Christmas, they were bigger, but it was too cold (so I thought) to put them out yet, so I built a coop in the garage (I don't park my car in there). In the spring, I put the coop and a really nice run I'd build out in the back. The first night I saw a skunk hanging around (never saw one on my property), so I moved the chickens in and reenforced the coop. Again, ready to move them out, the night before, a storm comes and the top of a near by pine tree as thick as a telephone pole falls down and crushes the run. They have been in the garage ever since. I let them out every day except in weather below 32 deg. When I do, they come back in like a half hour anyway.
Ok, so a year ago, the dynamic in my family changed. Last summer, my wife got laid off. Previously, I took complete care of the chickens. I fed them, I let them out, I cleaned their coop, I let them in, I searched all night when they didn't come home, everything. But since my wife has been home, she lets them out every morning, and gives them bread. My son is now old enough to do chores, so he chases them down every evening before sundown and gets them in the garage. All I do now is feed /water them and clean the coop.
Now last summer, one evening when hearding them into the garage, the Rock, Godzilla, turned at me and took a very agressive stance. I chalked it up to her not wanting to go in too early when there was still play time because I have always been able to pick them up at will. I noticed it a few times after that as well. Now comes this spring and if I am in the yard and I go near her, she will go for my feet and peck hard, especially if I have now shoes. She will take a very agressive stance and not budge an inch if I happen to be going in her direction, and today when I brought some bread out for them, she was more interested in attacking me than eating.
She does NOT act this way to my wife and my son, and the other chicken does not act this way to me. One more thing, she is not the top hen or whatever you call it. Mothera is (the Welsomer). They both lay eggs so I know she's not a roo, though I did think she was when she was born. It can't be a adolescent thing because it started when she was a year old and had already been laying for six months. Besides, why only agressive to me?
Anyone know why this happens and what I can do about it? I read somewhere that to deal with an agressive roo, pick them up and carry them around in a comfortable way for 10 minutes a day. Would that work here? SHe doesn't attack once I am carrying her.
