aggressive hen pecked my eye!

[jen61871]

While I was bent over cleaning the chicken run, one of my recently laying hens pecked me in the corner of my eye. I don't think I'm injured but I hope I don't get an infection.
So does anybody know what I can do with a pecky aggressive hen? I'm thinking of rehoming her.
She is not a mean girl she likes to be petted, she gets on well with the other girls, she's a nice chicken she just wants to peck me! Whenever I am in the coop she pecks my feet and legs yet will squat for me to pet her. I don't know what to do but at this point I feel like I am not going to be able to have any close contact with my other girls unless she is locked in the coop and I don't think that's fair to them nor do I want to risk further injury to myself

 

[sourland]

Chickens peck at shiny things - never let them near your face as eyes are a prime target. Many have lost ear rings, studs and even rings to their birds.

 

[GitaBooks]

I have a young roo named Dexter. He is the nicest little guy, but he loves to peck me! He pecked my lip today and it hurt! He also pecks at my eyes, hands, arms, and neck. It is curiosity, he likes the shiny look of the eyes and the scabs on my hands.

 

[Folly's place]

I don't allow any birds to peck me, and don't have any near my face. Friendly hens can come close, but not try me out for taste. Ever. Cockrels that are too interested in getting close often turn into human aggressive adults, in my experience. Politeness is essential for comfortable living; true for chickens, dogs, horses, whatever. Mary

 

[donrae]

I'm with Mary. I don't allow any animal to put their mouth on me. Simply don't let her close enough to peck you. When she comes that close, stomp at her and chase her off. You don't have to run her around the pen, just enough to make her jump away from you. You'll probably have to have a few training sessions since you've been letting her treat you as a buffet, but she'll learn. Watch your chickens, none of the less dominant birds peck a bird higher in the ranking than they are. You need to claim the top ranking.

 

[jen61871]

I do put my mouth anywhere near my girls mouths. I was bending down cleaning up chicken waste in their run. She ran up to me and pecked me this happened very quickly. They do come around me when I do this but she is the only one who pecks me. I will try stomping her away. I pet them and feed them from my hand that is as close to them as I get.

 

[jen61871]

I do put my mouth anywhere near my girls mouths. I was bending down cleaning up chicken waste in their run. She ran up to me and pecked me this happened very quickly. They do come around me when I do this but she is the only one who pecks me. I will try stomping her away. I pet them and feed them from my hand that is as close to them as I get.

I meant to say I do not put my mouth anywhere near my girls mouths

 

[nikolairapunzel]

I have 2 RIR that have pecked us. One usually pecks my ring so I now keep my hands in my pockets when I am out with them, the other one keeps pecking at the back of my feet when I walk away. That is driving me nuts! Yesterday she pecked my son on the eyelid and actually made it bleed. He was squatting on the ground and she came around the side of his face and got him. He is going to be extra careful around her, but is there any advice on how to stop the pecking while I walk? Maybe a water bottle to spray her?

 

[GitaBooks]

I have 2 RIR that have pecked us. One usually pecks my ring so I now keep my hands in my pockets when I am out with them, the other one keeps pecking at the back of my feet when I walk away. That is driving me nuts! Yesterday she pecked my son on the eyelid and actually made it bleed. He was squatting on the ground and she came around the side of his face and got him. He is going to be extra careful around her, but is there any advice on how to stop the pecking while I walk? Maybe a water bottle to spray her?

That's a good idea, as is carrying a rake or broom with you. The idea is negative reinforcement, not any harm. Teach her she gets something that isn't fun every time she tries to peck you.
My chickens peck at me for food and out of curiosity, not aggression. However, my roosters will peck at me out of dominance.

I hope it works.

 

[trailrider330]

My neighbor, who originally got us started raising chickens, always reminds us of someone he knows who is now blind in one eye after getting pecked by a rooster. Ever since I heard that story the first time, I am always sure to keep my face away from even my sweetest birds, and make sure my kids all do the same as well.