Why does my silkie hate me?

[chuckachucka]

I have a seven month old silkie pullet called Peanut. She is the only silkie in my small mixed flock that currently includes one rooster, one Pekin pullet, an older Asil hen who is top chicken, a serama pullet and some chicks. The silkie is third dominant after the bossy Asil and the roo, but above the Pekin and the serama. She will give those two a little peck if they step out of line.

Me and any other humans who dare approach her get a more severe reaction. She will run away squeaking if possible but, if cornered, she will peck the heck out of my hands. She comes toward me for treats but grabs them and runs as if she is terrified all the time.

All my other chickens don't exactly come to me for snuggles (except the serama who is a snugglebunny) but they are calm around me and never peck me. Even the Asil hen, who is mean to EVERYONE, has never pecked me even when she has been broody.
By comparison, Peanut the silkie was broody for a couple of weeks in october and she was like a little fluffy demon.


Why is she so scared and defensive? What did I do wrong with this one? And is there anything I can do to change her mind about people?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Can she see? Sometimes when their vision is blocked by feathers they act more hysterical. Crested birds in general can be odd acting. All the silkies I owned were not very tame and ran from me. It's one of the many reasons I never got anymore.

 

[chuckachucka]

Oh well I'm glad I'm not the only one with bad experiences of silkies! Recently her comb has grown a bit and has pushed her crest up a bit, but before that she couldn't see very well, no. That would explain it I suppose.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You could give her a trim and see how it goes. My polish are a bit less hysterical being able to see as I trimmed their crest, but they are still polish and prone to nutty behaviors. Silkies too are a bit nutty, though they are the best breed for brooding and raising chicks.