She pecked me on the lip- I shoved her-now I feel bad.

[chuckzoo]

I was sitting in the run because I wanted to check on Angelika, my buff rock that has some marks on her comb - looks like she getting pecked?

Well Angelika and her BF Rose were both sitting on my lap and Rose started to peck Angelika. I "pecked" Rose back to try to get her to stop and she turned around and pecked me on the lip. Well, I gave her a good shove and then pushed her down on the ground to get her in a submissive pose. One interesting thing I should note is that her comb flushed bright red when I did that - was she angry?

Well I just went back in in the run now and Rose, is kind of avoiding me. She will come close but will not try to get my attention like she normally does. Did I ruin the bond? She normally likes my attention.

 

[BrewedInNh]

Sounds like she learned her lesson. She'll warm up to you again soon enough.

 

[clarmayfarm]

ChuckZoo,

Chickens have a pecking order...the dominant chicken will always peck the lower chicken...it is their nature.

You mentioned shoving her and making her submissive. This may work for dogs, but not chickens. I would definitely not do this again!!!
Chickens, while friendly, are like dinosaurs. Their brains do not work like ours do...this is why, when a chicken is sick, they will often gang up on it.

As to shoving her, it shouldnt matter...she may be cautious for a while, but she will come around if you bring her some granola, yogurt, scrambled eggs, or whatever she likes to eat!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Here is a good example of why you should not put your face up close to a chicken, or any bird. You are very lucky it was your lip and not your eye. You can't expect a chicken to act like a person, or a dog, or a cat. i know we all like to anthropomorphize our pets - i do that, too. But ultimately you have to realize they are not little people and protect yourself accordingly.

Okay, lecture over. Hope your lip and Rose will be okay.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Yup--Rose will get over it. Next time just peck her or chase her around or pick her up and carry her a bit. These are all things (except for the carrying) that the dominant hen or rooster will do. My tiny little silkie chick nailed me good in the eyelid last week when I didnt grab her fast enough. Lesson learned. She is only allowed on my lap or stomach now with my hands firmly holding her. Chickens are surprisingly fast when they go for something!

 

[sourland]

Don't worry about her psyche. Assure her that you are dominant or it may be your eye the next time.

 

[chuckzoo]

Thanks guys!

When I shoved her it was an instictive reaction and I was not trying to hurt her, far from it. She seems very "protective" of Angelika, although she likes to dominate her. I got them as chicks and the two of them grew up together so they are mates.

I have read on the forum that people have used "chicken behavior", i.e pecking (with their fingers) and making them squat as another chicken would do to try and modify undesirable behavior and that was what I was trying to do.

She was around me this morning when I went into the run and flew up onto my back as she used to when I clean the run. I am a little more leary now and let her down onto the stairs to their coop.

 

[paddock36]

Now, now, you two quit fighting or you will be sent to your own coops....err...rooms!

 

[galanie]

I had one that developed the habit of pecking me and the only way I could get her to quit was to force her down in a submissive pose every time she did it. I did the same to my top girl who kept pecking the others to keep them all away from any treats. I don't do it in a way that hurts, but they get the message. It does make them a bit shy of me for a day or so but they get over it pretty quickly.

Don't worry

 

[chuckzoo]

Quote: