why are my Rhode island red's jerks

[Melissah329]

Hello!!
I have 3 Jersey giants who are smart and nice and two Rhode island reds who are being very mean lately almost acting like roosters try to come at me when it's feed time and try not to let me into the run. This morning as I was watching them eat their breakfast. When I feel pecking at my shoes and it was a red I pet her back and that really pissed her off, she got my hand so hard she actually drew blood this time. I don't understand why she is so mean and it's not just the one red they are both acting like this. They are so much dumber than my jersey's too. Any ideas?

 

[azygous]

It's breed temperament. RIRs tend to be more aggressive than other breeds on average. RIRs tend to bully more docile breeds, and they are more apt to be human aggressive, especially the roosters.

If I wanted to keep RIRs because they are excellent layers, I would have only RIRs in the flock, no other breeds.

People will tell stories of how friendly their RIR chicken is, but generally, they are not cuddly chickens.

 

[Melissah329]

Yea we chose them for the egg laying which should be happening soon. The Jersey giants bully the reds especially during feeding. I did know RIR can be bully's but didn't realize they could be human aggressive as well. Thank you

 

[MysteryChicken]

Yeah, I've had a few RIRs in the past. They are very mean.

 

[Ruthster55]

These are good reasons to avoid keeping RIRs unless the keeper already has experience with them!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I read this thread because this is happening to me BUT with a Olive Egger Pullet who is almost laying age. She does the squat when I pet her back so it should be soon but she's aggressive and attacks my boyfriend every morning when he feeds them and came at me just because I picked up her flock friend who is a CLB. I totally knew RIR's act this way as I used to have named Crazy and one named Weirdo, lol. But I did not expect RIR behavior from my OE. Does anyone think its not just breed related??? Any way to "make them nice," whether its a RIR or another breed?? I guess worst case scenario now you know you're not alone!

 

[chknlittle17]

My Jersey giant is a total jerk. She will attack me, especially if I'm not wearing boots. She bit my ankle yesterday. My RIR is a jerk to the other chickens. I also have a brahma who is sweet to me, but a total jerk (worse than the RIR) to the other chickens. Chickens are weird lol.

 

[RobertaD1]

The best way to stop a hen from pecking you is peck them back. With 2 fingers, just a quick poke on the back of the head or shoulders, and they will stop. Some chickens will treat you like part of the flock, that's why they do it. They want you to see they are in charge. You need to use their way of thinking to show them YOU are in charge. Remember, you are not doing it so hard to hurt them, just get their attention.

 

[chknlittle17]

The best way to stop a hen from pecking you is peck them back. With 2 fingers, just a quick poke on the back of the head or shoulders, and they will stop. Some chickens will treat you like part of the flock, that's why they do it. They want you to see they are in charge. You need to use their way of thinking to show them YOU are in charge. Remember, you are not doing it so hard to hurt them, just get their attention.

I do it back to her all the time. Last night I chased her down and "pecked" her a few times after she went after my legs and since she's given me a wide berth. She's near the top of my list to get a time out once our dog crate isn't in use.

 

[RobertaD1]

Well, looks like you have a hen with a high "rooster" drive Cant say it will get better... but it might. Some animals are... well, just jerks!