What the heck??!!

[fishnet1971]

Quote:
X2. I dont think the kicking will help you either. is there maybe something going on with her that you are not catching? something wrong? mabye she hurts and doesnt want to be touched? A bruise or sprain or something? something she ate making her miserable?

Like when our cats or dogs dont want to be touche because they are ill or hurt maybe?

 

[theoldchick]

You have to think according to a chicken's point of view. Your hen is asserting herself, not because she's mean, but because she's trying to tell you she no longer wants to be a snugly gal. Respect her decision. She's letting you know she's growing up, and is ready to do her job as a laying hen. If you are invading her space and she's giving you a good peck, simply back up and let her be a chicken. Or gently force her to the ground with your hand on her back. As soon as you feel her relax let her go. Do not attempt to snuggle with her. Now, if she's attacking like a rooster while you are doing your chores she needs a booty in the patootie.

When having pets or livestock you have to respect the individual for what and who they are. If your gal no longer wants to be snugly hen respect her for the laying hen she will become. Once she starts laying don't be surprised to see her try to keep her independence. That's who she is and will always be. She has other concerns now-like finding the perfect spot to lay her egg. She's growing up!

 

[Keltara]

Quote:
I actually have started putting my hand on her back and gently forcing her down. Her behavior is improving. All you said makes such great sense. I never considered the fact that maybe she just doesn't want to be cuddled anymore. I've been giving her lots of treats for the past few days and she has not been so "on edge" with me. Thanks for your input.

 

[Nambroth]

One of my pullets got very sassy like this right before she started laying for the first time (maybe 1-2 weeks beforehand?). Now that she's been laying for a week I've noticed she's already mellowed out. Her hormones may just have been getting her all torqued up! I hope your pullet mellows out too.

Best wishes to you.

 

[Keltara]

Quote:
Thanks Jennifer. I'm hoping so too.

 

[JP101010]

Kicking a chicken for any reason could seriously injure it. collapse a lung , break bones , etc etc ( not too mention it does nothing to solve the problem) I hope your children did not see you kick the animal- what a horrible example for them to see

If i were a chicken and a 10x larger human was poking me and kicking me as a form a behavioral therapy, I would rather just get it over with quickly and be culled

I am glad to see further in the thread that you took advice from everyone and the situation is improving without violence

 

[Tripp16]

Quote:
x2! My little EE who is on the bottom of the pecking order didnt want to go back into the henhouse after free ranging a bit. So she took it upon herself to peck me! Well I picked her up held her on her back and said NO! Yes I feel bad for her because shes at the bottom of the pecking order but nobody pecks me!!

(I know your not supposed to put chickens on their back because they dont "submit" like dogs do but Hey! I train dogs!!

)

 

[Keltara]

Quote:
Jennifer
Apparently you did not read a little further down on this post (try reading post #23). You will have read that I didn't actually haul off and kick her as you describe. As stated it was a: put my foot under her, lift and toss her a little. I am new to chickens and when I had a chicken biting (sometimes drawing blood), I did what I thought was right. For 3 days I poked her when she bit me. After that, I came here for help. I have recieved great advice and learned that what I was doing was actually agging her on. So before you become judgemental, maybe you should read a little further. Anyone who knows me on this site, knows how much I love and spoil my hens. And of course I took the advice of others here. I have 2 little girls that were also getting bitten by her and initially did what I thought was right. When she was coming at me so aggressively that last time, and I did toss her, I felt horrible. I immediately came in here to ask for help since this is new to me. Maybe think twice before you respond to someone who was asking for help, especially if you have no help to offer.

 

[Pharm Girl]

Out of 9 chickens, I don't have a biter in the bunch, thank heavens. That said, I do have a spoiled BO who is the alpha of the flock. When she went broody a month ago, she did the fluff up like a turkey dance, which sounds like yours might be doing too. Any time me or one of the other chickens came near her she just went poof! It was so funny.. the jail time that followed wasn't though. Maybe your girl is feeling more hormonal than the others and getting ready to lay. 24 weeks, my goodness, it's time! Sounds like your doing your best to get her under control.
After all that spoiling, you don't deserve to be injured by her! Maybe she'll calm down when the egg laying thing gets established.

 

[JP101010]

Quote:
Jennifer
Apparently you did not read a little further down on this post. You will have read that I didn't actually haul off and kick her across the yard. As stated it was a: put my foot under her, lift and toss her a little. I am new to chickens and when I had a chicken biting (sometimes drawing blood), I did what I thought was right. For 3 days I poked her when she bit me. After that, I came here for help. I have recieved great advice and learned that what I was doing was actually agging her on. So before you become judgemental, maybe you should read a little further. Anyone who knows me on this site, knows how much I love and spoil my hens. And of course I took the advice of others here. I have 2 little girls that were also getting bitten by her and initially did what I thought was right. When she was coming at me so aggressively that last time, and I did toss her, I felt horrible. I immediately came in here to ask for help since this is new to me. Maybe think twice before you respond to someone who was asking for help, especially if you have no help to offer.

I did read it all , and of course it was a gentle kick. Im sure your didnt act like an enraged phsycho , but even a "little" boot could injure a bird upon landing...and as i said im glad you took the advice of others because They had some great techniques. And as far as not being able to post if you dont have "good advice" , Its an open forum... I think that not kicking or hitting animals infront of children is great advice.

We all make mistakes. I commend you for seeking an alternative