Biting chick (young adult)

[TheBirdBabe]

I have 10 chicks that I've raised from babies. One (his name is Razer) is very friendly, if I stick my arm in their pool that they sleep in, he will jump right up on my arm & hang out for a bit. He's very curious. He likes to look at my glasses, his reflection in my phone, pick at my nose ring & even my clothes.

The only time he is rude towards me is if I pick him up. Sometimes he will bite me! His name is Razer because his razor sharp beak & 'talons'. lol

We would like to try & keep him, but I'm not sure if this will become a more serious problem or if it's just a phase. He's obviously just biting out of fear, but... I've been handling them since the first day I got them! Have you ever experienced this with your chicks?

A bit more info, they are a few months old & there are multiple roos in the bunch. I also attached some silly pics of him visiting me.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Has he always done this? Are you sure he doesnt have an injury that is causing him pain when you pick him up?

 

[TheBirdBabe]

Has he always done this? Are you sure he doesnt have an injury that is causing him pain when you pick him up?

He doesn't have any injuries that are visible to me. The main thing that's making me think it's fear is he makes almost an 'alarm' noise before he does it.

I will try & fully check him out layer though. That is a good observation.. one I would have not thought of!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I've got a 6 week old cockerel who's bitty, but he's growing out of that habbit. Just seems like he's just a nippy boy. Started at 2 weeks old.

Biting isn't always a concern, I've had a few boys that were biters, grow upto be big babies.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

He doesn't have any injuries that are visible to me. The main thing that's making me think it's fear is he makes almost an 'alarm' noise before he does it.

I will try & fully check him out layer though. That is a good observation.. one I would have not thought of!

I would thoroughly check under his wings, on his shoulder, and under all of his feathers. One of my silkie chicks flew into something sharp and cut his shoulder and I didnt realize it until he moved his head just right while I was holding him and his feathers parted.

 

[TheBirdBabe]

I would thoroughly check under his wings, on his shoulder, and under all of his feathers. One of my silkie chicks flew into something sharp and cut his shoulder and I didnt realize it until he moved his head just right while I was holding him and his feathers parted.

Thanks! I'll be checking him over & try to remember to update.

 

[TheBirdBabe]

I've got a 6 week old cockerel who's bitty, but he's growing out of that habbit. Just seems like he's just a nippy boy. Started at 2 weeks old. Biting isn't always a concern, I've had a few boys that were biters, grow upto be big babies.

Good to know! I think that's the case here. He's very friendly otherwise! I'll just keep an eye on it & if he starts getting sassy, I'll have to look in to an alternative.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Good to know! I think that's the case here. He's very friendly otherwise! I'll just keep an eye on it & if he starts getting sassy, I'll have to look in to an alternative.

Just watch when his hormones start raging, between 4-6 months of age. He may end up as a teenage terror for awhile, before settling when he hits a year of age.

Not all are teenage terrors, just to keep in mind.

 

[TheBirdBabe]

Just watch when his hormones start raging, between 4-6 months of age. He may end up as a teenage terror for awhile, before settling when he hits a year of age.

Not all are teenage terrors, just to keep in mind.

He's right at that age! in this bunch of babies I have 6 roos! I'm trying to wait until they straighten up to decide who I'm thinning out, but it's so hard.

 

[MysteryChicken]

He's right at that age! in this bunch of babies I have 6 roos! I'm trying to wait until they straighten up to decide who I'm thinning out, but it's so hard.

I've got 7 cockerels this year, that need to be sorted out.