My chickens peck me- why?

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When a human handles and spends a lot of time in the company of their chicks they become part of the flock essentially. I don't really handle mine, I talk to them, I move them around but they still run in terror when young. When handled enough to lose that fear you are now included in the pecking order. If you don't understand how the behaviors within the pecking order are expressed you will probably end up dominated.

There's a learning curve to chickens as they reach sexual maturity. Similar to human children many young chickens become moody and wish to express that they are adults. Poor behavior often shows up at about 4-8 months, they can become a bully if at the top, or they can start hiding if on the bottom.

So you need to be prepared to deal with these behaviors as another top bird would. Chasing away or pushing them down into a submissive squat are two ways to deal with an extremely pushy bird. I wouldn't allow them to jump on you, or to feed directly from hand at that age. Throw stuff on the ground so they all can get some without you unintentionally bypassing the pecking order which often ends with a dominant hen punishing a subordinate hen for not respecting the order.

Within a flock of chickens the bottom hens would never peck on the top hens. Top hens will often take things out of subordinates mouths or even peck food off the face. I think chickens that are pecking at people are exploring, but there's also a note of the pecking order present in their actions. If you don't mind it, ignore it, if it bothers you than address it.

My chicks that are terrified of me grow up to be curious friendly adults that don't involve me in their pecking order, neither hens nor roosters challenge me. If you get involved than be ready for the outcome.

KrazyKat, I don't know why your hen is chasing you. Are you sure it isn't a rooster? I would certainly push it away when it boldly approaches you, if it doesn't help than gently push it to the ground and hold it for a few seconds.

 

[KrazyKatLady]

Thank you for that insight! The whole flock follows me when I'm in the yard. They are no doubt spoiled and expect treats at all times. After your post, I believe we will start tossing food out until they can handle themselves a bit better. I didnt realize we were creating "monsters" by falling into the "this is so cute" trap! (Though that always seems to be how most pets end up as ill-behaved buttholes, so it makes sense!)

The chasing at the car thing just started and this morning I might have backed over her if I didn't have the reverse camera! I have a long driveway and we are well off the road, but I don't want them to get comfortable going down the drive and becoming the punchline to the 'why did the chicken cross the road' joke.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thank you for that insight! The whole flock follows me when I'm in the yard. They are no doubt spoiled and expect treats at all times. After your post, I believe we will start tossing food out until they can handle themselves a bit better. I didnt realize we were creating "monsters" by falling into the "this is so cute" trap! (Though that always seems to be how most pets end up as ill-behaved buttholes, so it makes sense!)

The chasing at the car thing just started and this morning I might have backed over her if I didn't have the reverse camera! I have a long driveway and we are well off the road, but I don't want them to get comfortable going down the drive and becoming the punchline to the 'why did the chicken cross the road' joke.

So true. Sounds like you have a good plan in mind. You might have to start sneaking around on your chickens so they don't know you are leaving. I have had the yard following chickens, they are fun.

 

[Chailey girls]

I have 6 hens and they crowd round me and peck me when I’m in the garden with them. I’m new to hen keeping but it doesn’t feel like they are being aggressive, more like they are checking me for food. I think perhaps it’s because I bring their food and treats, because they will also jump on my lap

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have 6 hens and they crowd round me and peck me when I’m in the garden with them. I’m new to hen keeping but it doesn’t feel like they are being aggressive, more like they are checking me for food. I think perhaps it’s because I bring their food and treats, because they will also jump on my lap

Just watch you eyes. Some members have learned that lesson the hard way. Chickens are so nosey.

 

[m1marin]

It's essentially learned through positive reinforcement. A peck results in scratches or pets which can be as good as treats. I actually trained all our hens to tap my hand (a soft peck) when they want to be scratched. When they pecked too hard I'd gently push them back until they learned to give a soft peck. It was kind of a novelty at first, but also to teach the timid one not to be afraid of hands. One of our newer hens took to it so well that now she'll actually hook her beak and neck over my forearm and pull my entire arm towards her in order to get scratches and neck rubs. She also stands on top of my right foot and pecks my pant leg repeatedly until I reach down and pet her.

As for jumping on backs and shoulders I think this is a behavior learned as chicks. Really young chicks will hop on to their momma's back and nestle under her hackles. I think it is comforting to them when they are babies. If you have a friendly grown up hen that jumps on your back then it's possible that they find it comforting to be close to you and up high on your shoulder. Especially if you hand raised them and they imprinted on you instead of an actual chicken. Anyway, that's my theory about why chickens like to jump up on our shoulder.

 

[Ms Clucky]

My Thursday hen does that all the time. My Blindie hen jumps on my shoe and sits there until I pick her up.

 

[margkap]

I still have a significant gash and black and blue mark on my wrist from well over a week ago, compliments of ReBuff, my second Buff Orpington. I was feeding the flock of three by throwing out some seed and meal worms, a morning tradition. She's over a year old and this the most significant peck, one of several that seemed to grow in veracity. This was quite a surprise as my first Buff Orpinton, Buffy, was so sweet, I could introduce her to guests who marveled over her. Like Buffy, ReBuff is the low chicken on the totem pole but unlike Buffy, ReBuff seems to think she can transfer her hierarchial issues, to me, as the fourth chicken in the flock. This last peck hurt so much, I instinctively pushed her away, a little harder than I expected, to which she lunged back at me intending to do more harm to me. Fortunately, I was faster than her but I was taken aback by her behavior. Since then, I've kept her at bay, keeping them more confined to the side yard, as opposed to the entire yard. I make sure that the food is already placed in the yard before she leaves the coop in the morning. However, it is distressful to see this behavior in this one bird, after years of raising docile chickens the same way, to have one seemingly aggressive with me. Also, she was hand raised and loves to have her back rubbed and she is not aggressive then. She goes ape.... if another bird comes over for a backrub....pecking ME aggressively, if I do so. I have to remove that chicken out of her eyesight in order not to be attacked. Strong beaks on these Buff Orpingtons! BTW, I also have an Americauna gal who crows. I think I need a chicken psychologist!

 

[aart]

I think I need a chicken psychologist!

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens did evolve from dinosaurs, so I personally don't feed by hand, and prefer a less familiar relationship with my birds. They can get pretty ferocious when they are excited for treats. Some days I feel like that kid on the island at the beginning of Jurassic Park when I'm feeding stuff.