Why did this happen?

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

I have three 4 week old chicks. A black sex link, a RIR, and a leghorn. The leghorn is skittish, which is normal. The black sex link is so very sweet and docile. The RIR is not so sweet. In fact, when I put my hand down into the brooder box, she runs at me and bites my hand. She almost broke the skin the other day. Why is she doing this? Will she grow out of it? Is this some sign that she will be aggressive and mean? Please help.

 

[cherylcohen]

give them some mealworms, leave your hand in there, let them associate you and the worms and they will love you forever. Also make a sound while feeding them...it's a Pavlov's dog thing for chickens

 

[Imp]

I had a Black Australorpe that was the same way. Vicious chick, I was a little afraid of her. When she matured into adulthood she mellowed out quite a bit. As an adult she was pretty much the same temperment as the others.

Imp

 

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

Thanks for the suggestions!