hopingforchickens Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Well I mean really, she's not living up to her name, she started off all meek and sweet, now she pecks me (really hard) every time I go in the run, she follows me round the garden (not in a nice way) and when I got some corn out the box today she jumped up in my face! I'm starting to get a bit scared of her is there a way I can make her more friendly or do I have to just buy some steel toe capped boots She lets me pick her up at night to put her to bed (yes they are STILL sleeping on top of the house) it's just the rest of the day advice welcome... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Are you sure she not a cockerel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 how about a water spray !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) Are you sure she not a cockerel? I really hope not here is a picture of her; she's the darker one and here; I really don't think she is a cockeral, she has the smallest comb of them all so far if that is an indicator sorry for the huge first picture Edited June 15, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 She even manages to look scary in the picture! I can't help on the cockerel side of things, but for your sake I hope she's not, otherwise I'd also try the water spray trick, at least then you're armed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) Are you sure she not a cockerel? I really hope not here is a picture of her; she's the darker one and here; I really don't think she is a cockeral, she has the smallest comb of them all so far if that is an indicator sorry for the huge first picture You made me choke on my tea laughing . I don't recall any one ever swearing on this site, we are all so prim and proper Edited June 15, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 Sorry! Consider me well and truly ashamed - it will never, ever happen again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Sorry! Consider me well and truly ashamed - it will never, ever happen again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 It's not funny she tried to peck me again when I put her to bed, she (or he - I hope not) needs a serious talking to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken shack Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Try meal worms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Try meal worms. I think that's what started the problem in the first place, she just thinks I'm a walking treat dispenser Went to let them out in my pjs today and Cornflake was trying to eat them - the're all ganging up on me now, need to be more assertive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Sorry to say this but they both look like they have a "bad attitude" - no expert but water spary may cool them down. meal worms bring out the worst in my girls - they get too excited and jump up and down and would rip your arm off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I think you need to get her used to you not bringing food. If you potter about without proffering gifts, she will unlearn this behaviour eventually. You could then get into the habit of only bringing food when wearing a red hat, or whistling in a particular fashion, or using a clicker, or similar. In theory they should all learn the cues and leave you unmolested when you are not wearing the hat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 I love the hat idea I might have to use it yourself. Now I just need the perfect red hat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Definitely get them used to you not bringing food. It will take a while, they seem to learn bad habits very quickly and good habits very slowly. I'm not sure I'd try spraying them unless the situation was really desperate. If they associate you with gettign sprayed, you will find you won't be able to pick them up at all. They also look quite young - are they laying yet? She will probably also settle down a bit with age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 Hi, i know this might sound silly but i think your body language could help a bit. All animals are very similar in that if you appear frightened of them they will gain the upper hand. When you deal with her be calm and confident (even if you have to wear gloves to avoid a pecking), dont let her see you are worried! Dont run away from her, turn the agression back on her even like a cockerel would do by pinning her to the floor. This may not have any effect but its worth a try, like the others have said she may calm down when she comes into lay. In the meantime remember YOU are the boss not her, so ,no nicey, no treats! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 16, 2011 Author Share Posted June 16, 2011 Hi, i know this might sound silly but i think your body language could help a bit. All animals are very similar in that if you appear frightened of them they will gain the upper hand. When you deal with her be calm and confident (even if you have to wear gloves to avoid a pecking), dont let her see you are worried! Dont run away from her, turn the agression back on her even like a cockerel would do by pinning her to the floor. This may not have any effect but its worth a try, like the others have said she may calm down when she comes into lay. In the meantime remember YOU are the boss not her, so ,no nicey, no treats! Good luck! Thanks I am trying! I've conquered to jumping at flapping wings bit but it's the dirty look she gives me if I go anywhere near her might try gloves, that's a good idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzieLloyd Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 She's quite a scary looking girl - I think I would quake a little bit too! Mine get very frisky when a bucket of meal worms is in the offing but I've got them used to being 'tickled' before they get any treats. I guess its like me being a cockerel and asserting my authority Its amazing how quickly they learn a new routine but you have to be tough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 I've brought myself a water spray bottle, going to hang it up near the door, here's hoping it works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 You go girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThinkingChickens Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I'm having a similar issue with my Jersey Giant, Ethel. She pecks me, almost grabbing at skin, when I'm around. I think I'm solving the issue though. Now, when I go in there in the morning, I grab her mean butt and carry her around while I do things. She's seeming to calm down a lot. I think she just needed to know who's boss. Also, the last time she bit me I shoved her (relax, not hard) and she gave me this wide eyed OMG look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopingforchickens Posted June 18, 2011 Author Share Posted June 18, 2011 I'm having a similar issue with my Jersey Giant, Ethel. She pecks me, almost grabbing at skin, when I'm around. I think I'm solving the issue though. Now, when I go in there in the morning, I grab her mean butt and carry her around while I do things. She's seeming to calm down a lot. I think she just needed to know who's boss. Also, the last time she bit me I shoved her (relax, not hard) and she gave me this wide eyed OMG look! Hmmm interesting, might try that (with gloves on). Just had a text from my friend who let the chickens out for me this morning (I was at a wedding) to tell me her 4 year old boy was hand feeding Tallulah I warned her what she was like, Tallulah even bit her, maybe he's a chicken whisperer because he lived to tell the tale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
