Biting chick

[Mamatomany123]

I currently have 4 4 week old black sexlinks. They all seem to be growing nicely but 1 of them is a biter. She's bit me a few times since we got them at a day old but it's started happening more and more. I usually handle my chicks daily to get them accustomed to being held in case I ever need to treat them for something or to check for mites/lice and every time I pick this one up, if I'm not careful of my finger placement, she gets me. Right now it hurts a little but I really want to try and stop this before she's grown and can cause more damage. Any advise?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you tried "pecking" her back? With small chicks, a single finger should be enough - if she tries to bite you, tap her sharply on the back, or back of neck, not hard enough to hurt but enough to get her to squawk and then back off. That's how chickens tell other chickens to knock it off.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

So I'm not saying thump it to hurt but when she bites tap (i mean a very light like a momma hen) it may take a few but stay consistent and hold your hand if she puffs and stands staring at you and move it slightly closer. She should back up. She backs up and lowers her head normal chick if she puffs and looks like she wants to do a staring contest that's a chick way of saying 'oh no i'm the boss'

 

[MadamContrary]

Make a beak with your hand and peck back. You don't need to be rough or even make full contact to make your point.

 

[JustCallMeMaple]

A bossy chick is easy win the staring contest and look bigger in your case raise your hand a bit higher so she stares up a little more at you and if you feel the need to tap again it's ok. She won't hate you for telling her to mind your manners. They will survive. I had a very insistent biter and I named it Feisty. Well Feisty is my little friend that wants to hang around every time I come around (it's a little Dominique) and it went from bite and push to hey best friend and cute little coos and chirps.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I do "peck" her back every time. She mainly does it when she's scared (I'm assuming she's scared) she will first start with that chick scream calling for the others. I continue to check her over and hold her a little trying to get her used to it. They're also already integrated in with the big girls. She has no fear. She pushed herself in front of the bigger hens to get some frozen green beans earlier while the others would run.

 

[Lizzy733]

Definitely peck her back between the shoulders or give her feathers/scruff on the neck a light tug - gets the same point across.

If she bites, never pull your hand away either as this reinforces the behavior.

To mellow her out try distracting her with hand-offered treats. I also find biters can quickly be attracted to shiny rings, which may pique their curiosity a bit and distract them from their initial fear, plus it doesn't hurt you if they are worrying a ring instead of your skin. Another good idea is to get them to associate a certain sound with treats - this comes in handy when they're older.

Squeak a toy, make a specific call or rattle a can before every treat. Chickens are so easy to bribe and she'll quickly forge a positive association with you that way.

 

[Lizzy733]

Oh, and as a chick... If your brooder opens from the top, never scoop them up from above, like a predator. Put your hand down to their level first and then move it towards them. Much less intimidating that way.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Oh, and as a chick... If your brooder opens from the top, never scoop them up from above, like a predator. Put your hand down to their level first and then move it towards them. Much less intimidating that way.

They're no longer in the brooder. They've already been integrated with the big girls. I do have my older ones accustomed to come when I shake a coffee can. We put their treats in there. Trying to teach the babies but it takes time before they realize yummies are in it.

 

[MageofMist]

Boo at 4 months old was a biter and highly protective of her sister, Betty. I just kept handling her like normal even with her bites and angry noises, cuddling, petting, giving treats and just in general hanging out with her.

Now, at 5 months, she adores me and is obsessed with flying on top of my head at any chance she gets, and happily lays on my lap soaking up the fusses and cuddles.