I have four nine month old hens. They are usually very tame and tolerant of my 11 & 7 y.o. daughters holding them, handling them, etc. This morning, after she put a hen down, my 11 y.o. was pecked her real hard in the back of the leg while she was carrying some cracked corn to the yard to scatter. I figured it was just being impatient and wanted the corn now. Well, a few minutes later, I sent her back out there to gather eggs, and the hen approached her and proceeded to start attacking her "rooster style." She was fending it off with her boots, and screaming, so I ran out there and chased it off.
Now both girls are very scared off the hens. I don't know what to do, other than not have them give the greedy hens any more cracked corn. The only other contributing factor I can think of, is that we were a few hours later in letting them out for their run around time. She might've been feeling grouchy. They have a nice hen house that is approximately 5x8, and a coop area that is about 6x8. They get the run of the yard a couple of times per day for 30 minutes. Any suggestions?
Now both girls are very scared off the hens. I don't know what to do, other than not have them give the greedy hens any more cracked corn. The only other contributing factor I can think of, is that we were a few hours later in letting them out for their run around time. She might've been feeling grouchy. They have a nice hen house that is approximately 5x8, and a coop area that is about 6x8. They get the run of the yard a couple of times per day for 30 minutes. Any suggestions?
Grab that grouchy hen, and let your daughters hold her to the ground....dominateing her. Do it a few times a day, and explain to the kids, they are the boss, and this is how you tell a chicken you are boss. Hopefully the henn will let up..and be nice again.
