Why are my chickens pecking me constantly?

[Blackberry18]

My chickens are my pets. They know who I am, and like to have attention. I usually like to sit up there and spend time with them, they like to to petted and even jump on my lap and shoulders sometimes. However, they've started pecking me. Mostly my Leghorns, they practically crave attention. My Barred Rocks and Sex-Links peck too, but not as consistently the Leghorns and it doesn't hurt as much. It doesn't make time spent with them enjoyable. I'll just be sitting there and the Leghorns will crowd behind me and peck and my arms and such. I understand when it's a freckle or shiny object they peck at, but it's not always like that. Do they want something? Feed? That the only reason I can think of, perhaps I'm not feeding them enough. They're not being territorial, because they get so excited when I come up to see them. What do you guys think?

 

[KayTee]

When you say "perhaps I'm not feeding them enough" - how do you feed them? Chickens don't overeat basic feed (although they will gorge themselves on treats such as sweetcorn or bread), so the best way to be certain that they are getting enough food is to give them free access to feed 24/7. Make certain that you have enough feeding bowls for your birds - the ones at the top of the pecking order will tend to chase off the lower birds, so you need to have several bowls of feed in various areas of the pen / free ranging area, so that all of the birds can eat without being constantly chased off by the others.

It could also just be that your Leghorns are more attached to you. I have a bird that I have raised for the last two years - every time I sit down outside she pecks at my toes. She must know by now that they aren't edible, but that doesn't stop her trying!

 

[DigMyChicks]

My chickens do the same thing. Mine will jump up and pull on my shorts to get attention also.The other night I got pecked several times and some peck harder then others...it's usually because they think I'm going to have treats...I know they are getting enough feed.

 

[JanetS]

jennykpna - I have "chicken/barn shoes" that I only wear around my chickens. Your "going to town shoes" can bring illnesses home to your flock. Also if you have on nail polish sometimes chickens can think that your toes are bugs(or something to eat) and will peck at them.

 

[galvinj]

I'm about to eat a chicken. It comes at me to peck my toes when I wear flip flops. I scream and kick it gently away, but it gets aggressive and I scream and run in the house. First, my chickens have pecked my bracelet before and I never minded. They seemed gentle and curious. This one is challenging and aggressive. I think I'm gonna eat it, but it is a good egg layer. What to do, it thinks I'm less in the pecking order than I am or something. Starting to loathe that chicken. My three that are a year older are not like that, I never feared them. This one is different and has been laying for just a few months now. Help! Or I'm eating this baby Rhode Island Red!! I won't be afraid to wear flip flops in my own yard. This is unbelievable

I would take that hen and hold her down with your hand on her back to make her squat and keep her down for a few minutes. Another option is to pick her up and hold her firmly for a few minutes. Either may take repeating but eventually she will get that your the boss.

 

[Blackberry18]

I'm about to eat a chicken. It comes at me to peck my toes when I wear flip flops. I scream and kick it gently away, but it gets aggressive and I scream and run in the house. First, my chickens have pecked my bracelet before and I never minded. They seemed gentle and curious. This one is challenging and aggressive. I think I'm gonna eat it, but it is a good egg layer. What to do, it thinks I'm less in the pecking order than I am or something. Starting to loathe that chicken. My three that are a year older are not like that, I never feared them. This one is different and has been laying for just a few months now. Help! Or I'm eating this baby Rhode Island Red!! I won't be afraid to wear flip flops in my own yard. This is unbelievable

After posting this thread, I've have done some research. Whenever your chicken pecks you, administer a sharp "peck" with your finger, which is the standard way of telling chickens who above who in the pecking. She should get the idea after a few days, my Leghorns did, but I still have to "peck" them once in a while. Chickens peck out of curiosity, but you have to teach them that they shouldn't peck hard. Do not jerk away or show that you are scared of them. It make them more aggressive.

 

[Blackberry18]

Thanks everyone! I've done a little research, and am trying to correct their behavior by not jerking away when they peck me (so that they do not become more aggressive and try to come above me in the pecking order) and then doing sharp little "pecks" on their heads when it hurts (to show them who's boss).

 

[srhmchlk]

I get the same thing, they peck at my pant legs and shoes. And I've quickly learned to not wear shorts in their run! They don't want to be pet or held from me either, but they do know I'm the treat lady, so I guess that's what they want. I wonder if they are curious as to what I am as well?

 

[Blackberry18]

I get the same thing, they peck at my pant legs and shoes. And I've quickly learned to not wear shorts in their run! They don't want to be pet or held from me either, but they do know I'm the treat lady, so I guess that's what they want. I wonder if they are curious as to what I am as well?

Probably. I read this article about how chickens have emotions like humans; love, sadness, joy, depression, jealousy, curiosity, etc.

 

[DigMyChicks]

I believe that because one of my girls was fretting when my dog was crying out in pain due to a sore ear.