Why are my blue orpingtons not friendly?

[HolyHenHouse]

I have a mixed flock with many different breeds of chickens, I have noticed that my blue orpingtons are not very friendly at all... I had three but one ended up being a very mean rooster. My blue orpington hens will peck me and try to fight me and make a ton of noise whenever I try and pick them up. Is it me?

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Some chickens don't like being picked up. Mine are like that, they like being around me but will run if I even make an attempt to pick them up. Try just spending time with them. Treats also help. Also, mean roosters is perfectly normal no matter the breed. I've got a nicer buff orpington rooster and another mean one. Perfectly normal for mean roosters.

 

[LoveMyPeepers]

I've known plenty of hens to be skittish and all, but that behavior seems a little off, especially because orpingtons are know to be very friendly and calm. Once a rooster shows mean behavior, I don't think that can be reversed, so it might be best to give him away or make him into a meal, especially if he is hurting the hens as well. If the hens are trying to fight you however, first, show them that your the boss, then just sit with them and get them comfortable being around you. They might still not want you to hold them though, that's normal.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

Some chickens don't like being picked up. Mine are like that, they like being around me but will run if I even make an attempt to pick them up. Try just spending time with them. Treats also help. Also, mean roosters is perfectly normal no matter the breed. I've got a nicer buff orpington rooster and another mean one. Perfectly normal for mean roosters.

my buff orpingtons are very sweet but the blue ones are not lol...

all my other chickens are nice except those two.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Try just sitting in the run with them and letting them come to you. I've always just sat down on the ground (yeah, poop, but no biggie) and let them hop on me and get comfortable with me at their own pace. I did this when they were chicks and still in the brooder too. I would put a blanket on the floor to protect the rug and then I'd let them out. I'd sit on the floor and they would climb on my legs. I'd let them eat scratch grains from my hand. Even now that their all on the coop, I don't try to pick them up unless I have a health concern to check. But several of mine fly up and ride around on my shoulder while I clean up and fill bowls.

Patience is the key. And also remembering that when hatcheries say that a specific breed is docile and friendly, they want to sell birds. I'm not saying they're lying, just that not all birds of any particular breed will have the same temperament. And as another person said, some roosters are just more aggressive.

Good luck with your group. I'm sure they'll come around.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

I've known plenty of hens to be skittish and all, but that behavior seems a little off, especially because orpingtons are know to be very friendly and calm. Once a rooster shows mean behavior, I don't think that can be reversed, so it might be best to give him away or make him into a meal, especially if he is hurting the hens as well. If the hens are trying to fight you however, first, show them that your the boss, then just sit with them and get them comfortable being around you. They might still not want you to hold them though, that's normal.

I ended up giving the rooster away... I am just surprised that both hens are like that though. I realize that all chickens won't want to be held, but they will come up and peck me and run off...

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

How are you trying to pick them up? Chickens are prey animals so a thing from above picking them up is instinctively a predator even if it’s the same thing that brings meal worms. And they’re not wrong—we eat chicken. So if you actually want to hold them for whatever reason do it by getting down on their level a little more (don’t sit in poop but maybe on a stump or something) and feed then treats this way a couple times a week. Gradually they will get more friendly. I’ve also noticed that once they start laying they will chill a bit.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

When you say they are pecking you do you mean your hand or your leg or what?

 

[HolyHenHouse]

How are you trying to pick them up? Chickens are prey animals so a thing from above picking them up is instinctively a predator even if it’s the same thing that brings meal worms. And they’re not wrong—we eat chicken. So if you actually want to hold them for whatever reason do it by getting down on their level a little more (don’t sit in poop but maybe on a stump or something) and feed then treats this way a couple times a week. Gradually they will get more friendly. I’ve also noticed that once they start laying they will chill a bit.

I just go in the coop to hang out with them sometimes... when they come near I usually try to pick them up or let them perch on me... most of them will but these ones won't let me near them really... I thought it might be a breed thing??? I am fairly new to chickens, and this is my first flock, so it may be something im doing.

 

[HolyHenHouse]

When you say they are pecking you do you mean your hand or your leg or what?

they run up behind me and go for my ankles lol... I don't think it is out of curiosity, because my other hens would do that but they wouldn't do it so hard.