Why do my chickens want to eat me?

[pepparaaraa]

It's funny as my pecker is a red sex link too! Will try picking her up more as she used to like it and has even fallen asleep on my lap (about 8 weeks ago now) and although I stroke them I haven't picked them up in a while as their run is a bit awkward. Soon moving to a walk in run and I can't wait as think/hope the pecking me will improve... I hope!!!

 

[megan13]

Mine is a red sex link too! That's so weird.

 

[N F C]

What a funny coincidence!

 

[Mutt Farm]

A few of mine started that at about that same age. I had started hand feeding them dried meal worms. Within a week, they were attacking me, pecking freckles, my hands...They weren't being mean, but it hurts! I used a squirt bottle so they didn't get scared of me, they just think my legs spit at them. It worked great.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I find the behavior of both sex links and EE to be more aggressive than other breeds, I'm not a fan, especially the sex links there seems to be something off about them, I no longer keep them. But my other breeds will get loud and obnoxious, following me talking a lot a week or two before they start laying, so it's possible it's link to that, they seem agitated, I suppose they might peck more out of frustration, I guess I could talk only to the the ladies by saying it's kinda like PMS in chickens.

 

[Finnie]

I just read a magazine article today that said hybrids have temperament issues. Maybe there is something to that.

 

[N F C]

Our RSL girls are the ones prone to peck but they are also the sweetest, most personable and entertaining birds we have. And those giant brown eggs are nice. I'll always want them in my flock.

 

[GitaBooks]

A lot of layer hybrids have Rhode Island Red in them, and RIRs are prone to aggression, as well as extreme curiosity. However, I find my Red Stars to be some of the nice chickens in my flock, certainly less flighty then the leghorns.

 

[Spartan22]

My two 17 wk old Rhode Island reds are the ones starting to peck my hands when I reach down but I think just due to curiosity. I flick them when they peck to simulate dominant chicken to keep them in place. They become very tamed in comparison to a month ago when they won't even get near me and squawk like I was about to butcher them.

 

[pepparaaraa]

I know this is old, but my red sex link that used to peck me... Is so much more friendly now! I think she wanted attention!!
She still pecks occassionally but more because she thinks I gave treats or something. I'm going with curiosity as her trait rather than aggression now.
I just thought I should share as I felt to correct my slander on RSL's. my other two chickens run a mile if I try to pick them up but she lets me and seems calm and happy when I'm in with them