Should you not pet them when they squat??

[3baymares]

I have two laying now out of the 6 (19 week old girls).

Presently four of them will run up to me and squat in front of me.

Today, I decided to pet them (the squatters) since they were all right there.... "needing attention". yikes!
So, I am petting them and my most attentive girl (she has always been the most friendly to me) pecked me hard on the hand as I was petting the hen next to her. I grabbed her feathers at the back of her neck and slightly shook her and pushed her head down. She.... did not seem to mind this and things went back to normal except the hen I had petting took a peck at the hen I just reprimanded. Goodness!.... is this going to be complicated?

 

[sourland]

They regard you as the rooster and are jealous of the 'attention' the other girls are receiving.

 

[3baymares]

So, what am I to do? Not pet them?? This is a serious question.

 

[sourland]

Well, it's not a serious situation. Pet them, ruffle their backs, and they will be forever grateful.

 

[nuchickontheblock]

I'd just pet them all when the opportunity presents itself.

 

[3baymares]

She gave me a serious peck that bled..... Glad to hear you don't think this is serious though. I do need to reprimand her for this though right?

 

[redblack10]

I think every chicken is just a little bit different, so I suggest trying different ways of letting your aggressive girl know she can't be that harsh. Ruby - red sex-linked who think she is a rooster - puffs up and play fights. If her pecks get too hard, I present my knuckles and give a little bump against her peck. She stops, I pick her up, and she coos.

 

[donrae]

You are the human. You are the boss of the chickens. The other chickens don't decide who you pet and when, you do. Chickens don't discipline you, you discipline them. Pet who you want, when you want, and if a bird pecks you feel free to tap/push whatever you want to call it, but give her a little thump, enough she moves away from you.

 

[Brit327]

You could try to pet them at the same time so one does not get jealous.

 

[3baymares]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I really appreciate it.