Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[Popularfurball]

So we have had the hens a few weeks... And mrs skyline was always rather confident - but in last two weeks has gradually developed anger issues!

 

I have been handling them daily, and she is happy to be handled, sits for a cuddle etc without any issues.

 

However, she has "I want what she has!" Syndrome - wherever mrs black rock is, mrs skyline wants to be and she pecks her until she moves - be it food or water or perch etc. she has made her bald on her back at base of tail have covered her in vapo rub and now tar, and put a swinging perch in which seems to have helped as she can't be pecked on it.

 

When I go in to run, or clean coop she pecks me too - clothes, shoes anything! I'm not sure what to do with her as I don't want her to be frightened so I can't pick her up but I can't have her pecking me either!

 

She is a stroppy what not - if I go in the house and leave them free ranging - she pecks on the door until I come back out!!!! Their coop and run is about 8ft long x 5ft wide and 5.5ft tall with different height perches, dust bath, swings and coop with nesting box in.... So plenty to do I thought!

 

It's crossed my mind whether another hen might help - mrs black rock is very timid and not happy with handling yet - mrs skyline isn't helping this! But then I thought I might just be givin her two hens to bully along with me! She even chases the dog!

Edited March 28, 2013 by Guest

[Popularfurball]

Any suggestions for behaviour modification training?

[suebee]

With regards to her pecking you, she sounds like a madam who thinks she's even above you in the pecking order. When she has a go at you, you could try gently pushing her down from above, and holding her there for a few seconds (cockerel impersonation), to lower her status, and raise yours.

 

I had a pecky girl once. She would sidle up to me and peck my trousers, sometimes hanging on to them and giving them a good pull. I cured her by gently (and I do mean gently) pushing her away from me with the leg she was pecking, or had hold of. She only tried once more, and was met with the same response from me. She didn't do it again after that. You need to react immediately, so that she associates your response with her actions. If she pecks your hand, gently but firmly push her away the instant she pecks it, or immediately "flatten" her, like a cockerel.

[Popularfurball]

Thank you - I obviously don't want her to be frightened of being picked up but I need to be able to clean them out without being savaged!!

 

She is a little madam - a very funny one - but a madam none the less. As I said she chases the dog who is a greyhound/jack russel/collie type thing!

 

Do you hand feed them? I thought it might be beneficial should they become sick and also to make being picked up a positive experience...but I've tried it twice and she snatches so aggressively it hurts through gloves! The ones at the farm take food from your hand gently? I've stopped hand feeding though as decided it was a bad plan!

[Egluntyne]

I'd put a bumpa bit on her.