Why does my bossy hen complain loudly and follow me around?

[BooBear]

 

[Miyashi]

I have a bossy, loud Americauana who is attached to my hip when I go outside. She's always talking and walking. If I stop to do something, she'll pick at me or get level with my face and continue to complain.
She has a strange habit too...it's actually kinda cute....
She collects bit of glass and puts them in a pile under the ramp to go outside.
(It's not that I enjoy the broken glass, we've cleaned the yard several times since we've moved here and just like the millions of rocks, it just keeps showing up.)
She loves anything shiny. She took one of my rings off last year and added it to her glass pile.
She doesn't sit on it or anything....she just stands by it now and then.
She was very mad when I took the glass...she was so upset, she just kept pacing and screaming at me. Sooo...I gave it back. She doesn't hurt herself with it....so I dunno....

That's her...thought I'd share my goofy bossy hen too.

 

[oldchickenlady]

I also have a bossy hen. She and I butt heads on a regular basis! When I come out she will come running to see what I have to eat...actually they all do, but this hen will get belligerant if the treats are not forthcoming in a timely manner! She will peck my foot or leg and when I turn to her, she will puff out her chest and sometimes try to flog me. I will either put my hand on her back (like a rooster) until she squats, or I will pick her up and give her a little poink on her head. She is so funny about it I can't help but like her!

 

[NHchicks]

These stories are just so funny.

I have thought about getting (another - mine died) rooster just to keep those hens in line. They complain too much, the head hens snip at the lower ones, and they wander too far up the driveway. But, after summer when the neighbors' windows are closed, then I'll get one.

But now my bossy hen and one of her offspring (I can tell it's hers because it looks just like her - hatched by another hen tho) have been sitting on the nest boxes all afternoon and even when I locked them up for the night. This is not good. I don't have fertilized eggs for them, I have 3 nest boxes for 8 hens, and if 2 of them are taken, well, that's not good. The Eprinex is supposed to arrive in a few days so I can re-treat them for mites and zap any worms at the same time...

These hens are giving me a headache this year. The last thing I need is 2 broodies, in between mite treatments... And no fertilized eggs... And no desire for more chicks...

I'll probably break down and buy a few fertilized eggs, just to get them off the nests. Ugh. Oh, but after the Eprinex. Hmm.

 

[kla37]

I have two that do this to me whenever I'm outside. They come running over and won't leave me alone until I give them treats. It's funny, but as soon as I get close to the shed they keep following but stop complaining since they know that is where the treats are and they must be coming! One of the two (the BA in my avatar) likes to talk to me while I'm gardening, and if she thinks I'm not paying attention to what she is saying she jumps on my shoulder and keeps up her chatter. I love my girls, they have me trained so well!

 

[Buugette]

Quote:
How about a pic of her glass pile... just curious...

D

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

My Welsummer hens are loud and complain that they want treats whenever I poke my head out the door!

They want treats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ganesha09]

I want to see the glass pile, too!! She is a cutie!

 

[Miyashi]

I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow. I'm convinced there was a large burn area on my property at one point and they would throw all kinds of glass into it. Many of the shards look burnt. Like they changed color almost.
I had heard of other birds doing this, but not chickens. I promise it's there, I'm not joking. The only reason for the stall is...my Grandfather passed recently and for the past few weekends we've been driving up to Gramma's and helping her clean out the garage and the barn. So much stuff!

 

[ganesha09]

So sorry about your grandpa!

I totally believe the pile is there- I just think it's funny that she has her own sparklie collection!! I don't blame her- colored glass is so pretty. Just make sure she doesn't know where you keep your jewelry. Your bossy girl and her story made me smile! Take your time w/ the pic- gotta take care of the family stuff first!