Bad Chicken :(

[pkzman]

Sorry this happened to your little boy. I learned the hard way too. My hens always jump up on my lap, and are not aggressive or mean, just curious. This time as I was bent over she jumped up on my shoulder, and as I was laughing and talking to her she checked out my eye. Luckily no permanent damage, but I don't let them by my face anymore. Unfortunately, small children are close to eye level. Hope he feels better soon.

 

[chickmashnoon]

oooh! yowza! It's bad enough to get pecked in the lip when they are trying to find out what your teeth are . . . . .

pkzman- I luuuv your avatar

poor kid got the double eye doozie
Most chicken love shiny things and she may have just been trying to investigate. but then again, just cause she's a hen doesn't mean she can't be agressive. If you don't have a rooster, often a hen will take the top spot of "protector of the flock". She may have seen your little boy as a credible threat that she could take on. If you get rid of her, you should still teach your kids to keep their faces away from the chickens cause others will certainly try to investigate his pretty sparkly eyes and/or another hen will usually take over as protector of the flock.

 

[Indigosands]

I'd re-home her too. I tell my kids not to look directly at them and/or turn their face if one is looking like they might take a peck at them after reading too many stories of people being pecked here.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Thank you everyone! We have listed her for sale (for cheap!) and told the reason. I hope someone without kids can take her. She really is sweet to me, but if she has a proclivity to peck at short people she's gotta go...we have dozens of short people around the neighborhood including my 3 littles. It's so hard to realize the cutoff between tiny balls of fluff and a chicken who can do harm...guess we're there.

If we can't find her a new home, on top of the new chicken rules we've implemented we will keep a watchful eye on her. I have a feeling she was stressed from me selling off 4 out of our 13 girls yesterday. Something must have snapped after she lost her hatch-mate. We have very rainy weather and they'll be confined to the coop for a few days but once they're allowed out again I will be able to keep a close eye on her. I truly hope she sells though, I'd feel much better having a flock I don't have to watch like crazy instead of being a chicken owner who has to tell people "Don't go near that black one, she's mean"

 

[7L Farm]

I usually thump the bird back with my finger if they peck me. They normally get the hint & quit this behaviour. There your birds & your children so do what your heart desires. By all means don't handle the birds near your face.

 

[marty8587]

Where are you located, I am in PDX and would be interested if you're close>

 

[FirewifeJess]

Where are you located, I am in PDX and would be interested if you're close>

Nah we're in Covington WA, at least 3 hours from you. Bummer!

 

[marty8587]

Thanks anyway! Good Luck, and maybe the boy should have a tennis raquet or plastic baseball bat to protect himself with!

 

[FirewifeJess]

Thanks anyway! Good Luck, and maybe the boy should have a tennis raquet or plastic baseball bat to protect himself with!

I give him his brother's green plastic bat!

 

[NovaAman]

Well, I am guessing you are joking about the racket and bat... That would be even worse... My kids DO NO HANDLE any chickens.

Hope the little guy isn't scarred for life over one chicken. I hope he's ok. Poor kiddo.