Why did my hen attack me?!

[TalkALittle]

I don't think the OP has to worry any more. This thread is 5 years old.

 

[Angie16hearts]

Old thread but useful information. I have one of my original sweet hens attacking the hen I'm petting. She has never shown any aggression! Hand raised and will let us carry her. It's only when I'm touching the hens and worse when they submit. She actually will come at the hen mostly or me with her feet. She did nip me ones as well. Other then that she's sweet so I don't understand why she does this. I was gently pushing her away at first now I'm picking her up right after she decides to be a bossy lady!

 

[Angie16hearts]

Old thread but useful information. I have one of my original sweet hens attacking the hen I'm petting. She has never shown any aggression! Hand raised and will let us carry her. It's only when I'm touching the hens and worse when they submit. She actually will come at the hen mostly or me with her feet. She did nip me ones as well. Other then that she's sweet so I don't understand why she does this. I was gently pushing her away at first now I'm picking her up right after she decides to be a bossy lady!

 

[Old Raiser]

I have raised chickens for about 10 years and only had roosters attack. But some types of chickens are more aggressive than others. I had an old Americana that was gentle and definitely the lead hen. She recently died and left 2 younger hens in the pen. Today I had a Rhode Island Red hen attack me deliberately and left a bruise and 3 inch scratch on my leg. It was a stand off until She went flying across the pen on the end of my foot (in no way was she hurt). After that she avoided me entirely. Have to show who is now the top hen of the yard I guess. So yours does not have to be a roo, just an aggressive hen.

 

[Cole405]

attitudes can change as they get older.

 

[pamonarch]

I have 13 - 7 month old hens. No roos and I'm brand new to raising chickens.
We got these chicks as day olds and they were all handled and very friendly with my 3 kids.

I specifically chose docile breeds and all hens so that I didn't have to deal with aggressive behavior.

This morning, I was throwing out some scratch grain and petting the chickens as usual.
My Golden-Laced Wyandotte bit my hand! (not too hard, but a deliberate attack) I wasn't even petting her at the time!

So I gave gave her a shove as if to say I'm at the top of the pecking order. Then, I ignored her and
petted the other chickens. She attacked me!, jumped up in my face and left long scratch marks down the side of my face and under my eye!!!!


I thought hens were supposed to be gentle! We've never shown any aggressive behavior towards our chickens!
Why would she attack me?! She has never shown any aggressive behavior towards people or other chickens before. What should I do?

btw -- she is the only one of our chickens who is not laying eggs... could she think she's a Roo?

instead of shoving her (which is a sign for her to be more agressive towards you) try scooping her up and holding her with her face behind you under your arm...hold her until she stops fussing..then let her down...and if she comes at you again...repeat the procedure.....when you push her, she thinks you are challanging her...when you pick her up..she knows you are "boss"...it works well with my hand-fed and petted chickens.