Will a toddler be safe around hens?

[Tricia's Triple Z]

My daughter has been got out with me for 2 years, she is 4 now. When I find her missing that is the first place that I look, she sits out there with them. I guess that she saw me do that. I do have a couple of EE that jump REALLY high, she has learned that you can't go outside with food because it will become fair game. They stole my Dad's cheeseburger out of his hand at the picnic this summer. I haven't had a problem with the eyes but I have heard that it is what they will go after, because of instinct.

I grew up on a dairy farm, there are dangers no matter where a toddler goes. My brother was 2 when a baby calf freakishly fell on him and broke his leg, and an adult was right next to him.

 

[teach1rusl]

Quote:
Yep...my husband now keeps a pair inside the run for times when he goes in there to sit with the chickens (lap time). My favorite girl (very friendly, very inqusitive, very bold) was standing there on his shoulder. I said "Ohhh...let me get a picture of that! Look this way!" He replies "No, (if I look up) she'll peck me in the eye!" So I walk around to a different angle and click the shot. By the time I'd take the picture and glanced down to see how it looked, she had craned her neck around far enough to BAM! Quick and lightening, pecked him in the eye. I just looked up to see his head bowed, hold his face. His eye was REALLY red for days. He was embarrassed to tell his friends a chicken had got him; he wanted to say he'd been hit really hard in boxing class...lol.

She's a sweet girl, our most affectionate, but he shine of the eye ball was just too much for her to resist I guess (or maybe it was the lashes, or the colored iris???) I would suggest small, clear safety goggles until your little guy is a bit taller, unless your chickens are rather stand-offish. Then I probably wouldn't worry to much. As for fingers, have him hold them together tight, so there's nothing to wiggle around. Most of mine do well, with hand feeding. I do have one who'll get in a hurry and grab a bit of skin accidentally (never hard enough to mark or bleed).

Getting him use to your chickens is a very good idea, just be safe about it...

 

[Keri78]

Well, after reading this I'm going to be alot more cautious with my little ones and our chickies!!! We got day old baby chicks and other than washing hands thoroughly after touching and holding them all has been great!!! The kids(11 yrs, 4 yrs, 2 yrs, and 11mths. now) have all been very involved with our baby chicks since June with no issues at all. I do make sure to remind my four yr. old that if he's going to be toting a chicken around in his arms to hold her/or him down closer to my son's belly this way the chicken is not near his face. This is an ongoing reminder b/c my4 yr. old son is an animal nut like his Mommy and I honestly think if I said you can sleep outside with the chickens he would!!!

I guess alot depends on the breeds that you choose and how much you handle them and their individual temperment but we have cochins(banty, giants, frizzle & smooth) and also some wonderful buff orpie girls...they are all so docile and tame and just love to eat out of our hands and will come running across the yard whenever we open the door to give them treats!!! It's been ALOT of fun!!!

I think starting out with baby chicks is alot less intimidating to kids and it allows them to gradually get used to handling a chicken. Do your research on which breeds are best with kiddos and you'll be fine!

Blessings, Keri
PS. Now that our chickens are grown I keep them in our side yard to free range which is seperate from the backyard where the kids play. HOWEVER...now the kids never go in the back yard they only want to "go out and "play" with the chickens!!!

And like I said my 4 yr. old loves feeding them carrying them around with him(like a cat!) and loves just sitting outside with them and talking to them! We have 14 chickens and four are roos...we only have issues with our one white frizzle roo boy who enjoys chasing my son around the side yard..but Ben is learning to put "Fluffy" back in his place!

Ok...I'm done blabbing! You'll be fine and your kiddos will too!

 

[Joyryder]

Quote:
That is a great idea! I will remember it. Thanks

 

[Happy Chooks]

Just don't take him to the run wearing red.


I too have been pecked in the eye. It happens quicker than you think. So just be careful with him bending down.

I also don't feed my chickens out of my hand anymore. They are too rough. But if he is going to feed them out of his hand, have him stretch his hand so the skin is tight. (Like how you feed a horse) That way there is less for them to grab.

 

[annie3001]

my chicks grew up with my 2 toddlers, they have never ever tried to harm them.
i do trust them.
my chickens free range so the kids are playing outside with them, theres always supervision for all of them (me) but my kids have fed them, no harm done.
its a judment call i suppose.
good luck tho!

 

[wjallen05]

I never let my son (15 months) around the chickens ever, for their safety and for his. I do let my girls (3, 4, 6) around the chicks, hens, and Silkies, but never unsupervised. Out of 20 hens I only have one who is a problem, it is a RIR hen who likes to jump/fly up in your face and peck at your body. She is very annoying and I worry about her hurting one of us.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

My little one has been helping with the chickens and ducks since she could walk. She doesn't like to feed them from her hand, but LOVES to throw the food for them (sometimes way, way too much). If your kid isn't a pick-em-up-by-the-neck-and squeeze-and-shake kind of kid, the birds should be fine, especially if they're grown up, and not tiny little chickies. My daughter almost fell on a duckling once, but I pulled her towards me and off of the duck right before she landed. kids and birds go together really well, unless the bird happens to be a goose.

 

[urbanolive]

Well I had no idea they would peck your eyes !!!! I have been letting my 2 and 4 year olds go down unsupervised to do their "chicken chores". Now I'm all freaked out.

 

[squeakyballs]

Thank you for all the great replies! I didn't know they would actually try to peck eyes, how scary!

The Safety Goggle suggestions reminded me that my toddler rarely goes outside without sunglasses on, so I shouldn't have to worry too much about his eyes.

(We told him that motorcycle riders wear sunglasses so he loves them.)

My husband really wants to get pullets instead of chicks... I can still teach them to be friendly, right? I'm thinking buff orpingtons and EEs.