Aggressive White Leghorn Pullet in Mixed Flock

[Tunie B]

Last fall, my free chick from Meyer Hatchery (the “Meal Maker”) was a White Leghorn pullet. I usually pick breeds for friendliness and cool egg colors, but I liked her little fan tail and the fact that Leghorns apparently do well free-ranging (as mine do).

Betty Egg White is nearly 5 months old and I noticed she is being a bit more aggressive with me and other hens—when I picked up her hatch mate, a Speckled Sussex, Betty didn’t like it and pecked at my hands. I plan to lightly tap her on the back of the neck as another hen would—this worked for my Silver-Laced Wyandotte when she was a little too saucy.

However, I also noticed Betty pecking the feet of others near her on the roost, and this worries me as a long-term problem. I have several different roosts and a pretty large coop (an old cow shed I converted), but I also have ordered more friendly breeds for spring that she might target—Polish, a Silkie, and some Houdan/Silkie crosses (the Cookies and Cream hybrid from Meyer Hatchery).

Also—this might explain some problems I had when she was a chick. Betty was one of 9 chicks; the lavender Orpington was DOA, sadly. Once they were in the brooder, she tended to peck the others quite aggressively. I lost two Salmon Favorelles and a bantam Green Queen in the first week, and I always wondered if she stressed them further.

I don’t mind flighty, but I don’t want a mean girl in the flock. What are your experiences with Leghorns and bad behaviors like pecking? I’ve read nightmare things about Leghorns pecking at vents and causing injuries/death.

 

[Tunie B]

I should add that the Meal Maker is a surprise breed, and she was an extra surprise—the Meal Maker for hatch date 9-12-22 was listed as a Welsummer or Speckled Sussex. The customer service reps said she was likely a substitution.

 

[lori_smith99]

My White Leghorn is a big attention whore lol. She is the first one to the gate and wants to be picked up. She will weave through my legs like a cat. Loves to be held. I have brown Leghorn as well that is not quite as friendly but she pretty much just minds her own and leaves everyone alone. Hopefully it is just a phase for your girl!

 

[Tunie B]

My White Leghorn is a big attention whore lol. She is the first one to the gate and wants to be picked up. She will weave through my legs like a cat. Loves to be held. I have brown Leghorn as well that is not quite as friendly but she pretty much just minds her own and leaves everyone alone. Hopefully it is just a phase for your girl!

That is great to hear! I hope so too. My Wyandotte turned out to be much friendlier after she started laying, so maybe Betty will chill, too!

 

[lori_smith99]

My Silver Laced Wyndotte is a bossy butt..lol. I always thought she was aggressive but she is just bossy

 

[Firsttimechichmama]

Last fall, my free chick from Meyer Hatchery (the “Meal Maker”) was a White Leghorn pullet. I usually pick breeds for friendliness and cool egg colors, but I liked her little fan tail and the fact that Leghorns apparently do well free-ranging (as mine do).

Betty Egg White is nearly 5 months old and I noticed she is being a bit more aggressive with me and other hens—when I picked up her hatch mate, a Speckled Sussex, Betty didn’t like it and pecked at my hands. I plan to lightly tap her on the back of the neck as another hen would—this worked for my Silver-Laced Wyandotte when she was a little too saucy.

However, I also noticed Betty pecking the feet of others near her on the roost, and this worries me as a long-term problem. I have several different roosts and a pretty large coop (an old cow shed I converted), but I also have ordered more friendly breeds for spring that she might target—Polish, a Silkie, and some Houdan/Silkie crosses (the Cookies and Cream hybrid from Meyer Hatchery).

Also—this might explain some problems I had when she was a chick. Betty was one of 9 chicks; the lavender Orpington was DOA, sadly. Once they were in the brooder, she tended to peck the others quite aggressively. I lost two Salmon Favorelles and a bantam Green Queen in the first week, and I always wondered if she stressed them further.

I don’t mind flighty, but I don’t want a mean girl in the flock. What are your experiences with Leghorns and bad behaviors like pecking? I’ve read nightmare things about Leghorns pecking at vents and causing injuries/death.

That’s what I have and she’s being aggressive with my other ones like she’s the boss?

 

[Firsttimechichmama]

My White Leghorn is a big attention whore lol. She is the first one to the gate and wants to be picked up. She will weave through my legs like a cat. Loves to be held. I have brown Leghorn as well that is not quite as friendly but she pretty much just minds her own and leaves everyone alone. Hopefully it is just a phase for your girl!

My white leghorn doesn’t want anything to do with me she runs and squaks at me. And is mean to the others

 

[Tunie B]

That’s what I have and she’s being aggressive with my other ones like she’s the boss?

She’s definitely one of the top girls in the flock! I will say that things have settled down more since our nice rooster has settled in. I also have been handling Betty regularly at night and she has been much calmer about it. Now that they have the pecking order more established and they free-range all day, I don’t worry as much—I hope things work out for your crew, too!

 

[Firsttimechichmama]

She’s definitely one of the top girls in the flock! I will say that things have settled down more since our nice rooster has settled in. I also have been handling Betty regularly at night and she has been much calmer about it. Now that they have the pecking order more established and they free-range all day, I don’t worry as much—I hope things work out for your crew, too!

Betty is a rooster or hen? Mine is Baby girl and she won’t even let me pick her up though when I do catch her lol I hold her close to be so she feels safe and she eventually calms down.