Hen Attacking Child - New Behavior

[aghiowa]

We've have this particular hen for a few months. She has just started attacking my 5-year old, unprovoked, when he goes to let them out in the morning. She's not broody. She is probably near the top of the pecking order in the flock of only hens, so maybe she is doing the dominant hen thing.

Anyway, what is the best way to stop this behavior? My son is terrified of going near her now, so I'm sure she's picking up on his fear. I was thinking of "arming" him with gloves and a thick coat, and having him hold her down in a squat position until she relaxes, a bunch of times over the next few weeks, with me as a backup.

Does this sound reasonable?

Angela

 

[Rod-T]

Get rid of hen..get new one..

 

[centrarchid]

Details leading up to this lacking. Hen may be employing "feed-bucket aggression" in an effort to get food. It can look like aggression during early stages but can become effectively aggression later.

 

[Jesusfreak101]

Sorry but i would bbq said hen. Is she going at him like a rooster would? I am sure there are ways to make said hen act right for a short time but anything that has been aggressive towards a child might revert back to that at some point and i would not be ok with that.

 

[lazy gardener]

How is she attacking him? With feet? Or with beak? If she's just doing a bit of a peck, and he's willing to work on some dominance training (with your assistance, of course) then you might be able to salvage the issue. But, if she's using her feet, I'd serve her up for dinner. Where a child is involved, to err on the side of caution for the sake of the child might be the most appropriate action whether it's feet or beak.

 

[aart]

Details leading up to this lacking. Hen may be employing "feed-bucket aggression" in an effort to get food. It can look like aggression during early stages but can become effectively aggression later.

How is she attacking him? With feet? Or with beak? If she's just doing a bit of a peck, and he's willing to work on some dominance training (with your assistance, of course) then you might be able to salvage the issue. But, if she's using her feet, I'd serve her up for dinner. Where a child is involved, to err on the side of caution for the sake of the child might be the most appropriate action whether it's feet or beak.

Both good responses...more info needed before solution can be advised.