Very Aggressive Pullets

[kgilmore1]

I have 13 pullets and 1 rooster that are all around 17 weeks old. 11 pullets are ISA Browns, 1 pullet and the rooster are buff orpingtons. I am having such issues with them and it's mainly the ISA Brown hens. Every time I walk into the run/coop if I don't have food or a treat they attack. They peck my legs and feet and jump up and grab my clothes. I have to take a rake in just to keep them off of me. They get PLENTY of flock raised feed and treats just a few times a week. Their coop is about 15x10 and the run is close to 30x20 with lots to jump on, peck at and forage. The past few days their wattles and combs have grown a lot and really turned red and it's made them even worse. What can I do to stop this behavior?

 

[Folly's place]

First, forget about hand feeding treats, at least for a while. Wear jeans and shoes or boots to protect yourself, and carry a weapon. If I want to catch a bird during the day, I might have to use a fish net; all my birds are horrified at the sight of a net, and I'm thinking that if you need it, a couple or tags with a net or something might offend your pullets enough to get them to back off. Swinging the waterer or the feed container into one might work too. I did stop getting ISA's and production reds because of their temperments years ago; not about me, but about the feather picking and general pushiness they displayed. How about a squirt gun! Make them respect your space! Mary

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Stop all treats for a week or more and then give treats out of sight...ie scatter it in the morning before releasing them so the food is just there but they don't see you as the dispenser.

 

[kgilmore1]

First, forget about hand feeding treats, at least for a while. Wear jeans and shoes or boots to protect yourself, and carry a weapon. If I want to catch a bird during the day, I might have to use a fish net; all my birds are horrified at the sight of a net, and I'm thinking that if you need it, a couple or tags with a net or something might offend your pullets enough to get them to back off. Swinging the waterer or the feed container into one might work too. I did stop getting ISA's and production reds because of their temperments years ago; not about me, but about the feather picking and general pushiness they displayed. How about a squirt gun! Make them respect your space! Mary

Thank you for the advice! They really are awful to me and to each other they pick feathers even on high protein feed. The top hens literally beat up the poor rooster who is bigger than them. Water gun is a great idea! I have to push them down with the rake just to get to the water sometimes.

 

[kgilmore1]

T

Stop all treats for a week or more and then give treats out of sight...ie scatter it in the morning before releasing them so the food is just there but they don't see you as the dispenser.

thats a good idea! I think that's a big part of the problem is that they know I have the food and if they're awful at night I have to use it to lure them in the coop.

 

[Flock Master64]

That's good advice. I think it should work.

 

[kgilmore1]

Would it be possible that their increased aggression lately is due to hormones as they are getting ready to lay? Will it subside when egg laying starts?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

T

thats a good idea! I think that's a big part of the problem is that they know I have the food and if they're awful at night I have to use it to lure them in the coop.

Are you luring from ranging or from the rtun into the coop? Is there a reason you can't allow them to go in on their own....such as needing them locked up before dusk?

 

[kgilmore1]

Are you luring from ranging or from the rtun into the coop? Is there a reason you can't allow them to go in on their own....such as needing them locked up before dusk?

I'm getting them from the run which is huge to the coop. I was letting them go in on their own but I walked out to an opposum on the roost bar with them so I don't let them do that anymore!

 

[Flock Master64]

Maybe you can get rid of your ISA Browns and get a more gentle breed.