aggressive hen pecked my eye!

[Elaine Wright]

I have established myself at the top of the pecking order. That means you don't peck me. Chickens understand chicken behavior.

 

[enola]

Chickens can HURT you. In your face, they can cause considerable damage.

I love my chickens, don't get me wrong, but they are not my pets. They are livestock. They are expected to produce eggs and meat. I do talk to them and spend time observing them. They are tame and will come to me when I go in the coop. But, they are taught from a very young age that harrassing me is a no no. I would NEVER let a chicken any where near my face.

 

[nitrolock]

Uhmm chickens peck things ..just sayn ..maybe safety glasses when your cleaning the coop ..if that don't work I hear chicken and dumplings can cure a pecky hen ..but seriously safety glasses ..they help from getting chicken poop in your eye during cleaning and in your case a beak ..have fun and enjoy

 

[Folly's place]

I also don't encourage or allow my birds to peck me. that's established early on; I don't hand feed treats, and no bird gets near my face. Broody hens are the only exception here; they might peck at me while I'm checking the nest. Mary

 

[chickmomma03]

Have you tried squatting instead? I know that might sound silly, but I don't bend down if I can help it because it puts my face lower to the ground. Mine tend to run the other way when I'm cleaning the run (they usually head into the coop), and when I'm cleaning the coop they usually hang out in the run (I use a wheelbarrow and they don't like it so they steer clear). If I need to fill food/water I squat (even though I have bad knees) because then my face isn't at an angle for potential pecking.

I have one that likes to perch on my shoulder and is a curious one. She has gotten too close to my face for comfort and I have backed her off and told her "don't even think about it". She didn't try to peck to be mean or anything, she just saw something she thought she wanted.

As for your eye, I would wash the area really well with a good soap and hot water, and if the skin is broken I would use a triple antibiotic to try to help prevent infection.

IF she's just being mean then I'd put her in her place, otherwise I'd try to eliminate the possibility of her pecking your face.

 

[beginnergirl]

I have established myself at the top of the pecking order. That means you don't peck me. Chickens understand chicken behavior.

How do you establish yourself at the top of the pecking order?

 

[Elaine Wright]

I researched chicken behavior and how they establish their pecking order. Whenever one of them exhibits a dominance behavior, I reply as a dominant chicken would. I'll hold someone to the ground with my hand. A chicken would stand on the back of the less dominant chicken. There is a great deal of information about social behavior and I have observed the flock. I hope that helps.

 

[csaylorchickens]

I second putting your hand on them. I squat down and place my hand on their backs and they squat down every time. I had one who actually pecked out my contact! My bad, I was cleaning the coop and didn't realize she was so close! Won't make the same mistake again! But that is a nice way to show them who is dominat.