[ginaclements]

hello everyone i'm hoping for some advice please.
I've recently purchased hens for the 1st time.
1 Bluebell (very timid), 1 Black Rock and 1 lovely Brown (very placid, already laying)
My problem is that Black Rock is not very friendly, she will purposely come up to you and peck. is this common to her breed? she does'nt welcome being handled much either as I thought this would calm her down.
they're 19 weeks old and i've had them a week.
please can anyone help?

[ANHBUC]

Hi we have 4 Black Rocks and they are like humans (all different personalities)!  The pecking is usually them trying to see if there is anything to eat on you.  If it becomes a problem you can use your forefinger and thumb as a beak and make a pecking motion back at her.  This worked for us and established the pecking order.    

If you sit on a chair in their enclosure and offer them a small amount of treats from your hand each day they will soon adjust to you.  Use this time to give them a stroke without making sudden movements.  When they are more comfortable around you try picking them up (they might even jump on your knee for the treats), leave your Black Rock until she sees that the others are not affraid and this should help.

She is still young and if she hasn't started laying yet she will mellow.  When hens are laying and you approach them they often curtsey (crouch down), which makes it easier for you to pick them up.  Having said that we still have one (Road Runner), who gives us the run around most of the time.   

Welcome to the Forum and we look forward to pictures of you hens.   

[ginaclements]

thank you ANHUBC, i will follow your advice. Cluckers (brown not my name choice!!) does exactly what you've said and she's got a lovely temperament. I will persevere and have patience.
thank you

[bantam novice]

Good luck  Ginaclements