BO pullet pecked my lip today, any advice?

[1000yearoldeggs]

I have a 14 week old buff orpington and she's normally very nice. I usually pick her up all the time without any problems. Well today she decided she didn't want to go into the coop when it got dark, so I picked her up to put her in. She grabbed my lip and twisted it. It didn't bleed, but it still hurts.

I can't tell if this was malicious or a dominance thing. I did hold her on the ground afterwards, I know that helps with dominance. Do you think this will happen again? I have to say, I'm pretty mad at her today. I'd like to give her another chance, but what do you think?

 

[Malibu99]

It sounds like it was a "what's that?! Ooh it's new!" Peck. Happens all the time with my hens. I was pecked in the eyelid once. So just know that she was just curious and didn't mean any harm.

 

[AmishThunder]

A young cockerel pecked my tear duct when I was looking at it up close. Lesson learned.

 

[Folly's place]

She was not pleased with you and let you know! No chicken gets near my face ever; they can only be who they are, and will peck at times, also just being curious. You could loose an eye! Some pullets are tougher than others but still fine. Rarely will you have a really nasty hen, but if you get one, she will need to go. I would observe her behavior with the flock, and see how she is in general. Many birds are terrified being picked up; they think they are being killed and react that way. It's normal, and good survival tactics. Mary

 

[Malibu99]

They like anything pink, red, shiny, bumpy, or different in any way shape or form. I call it a curiosity peck; they don't know what it is and want to know what it tastes/feels like. They can't touch it like we can so that's their way of touching something.

 

[Malibu99]

She was not pleased with you and let you know!  No chicken gets near my face ever;  they can only be who they are, and will peck at times, also just being curious.  You could loose an eye!  Some pullets are tougher than others but still fine.  Rarely will you have a really nasty hen,  but if you get one, she will need to go.  I would observe her behavior with the flock, and see how she is in general.  Many birds are terrified being picked up;  they think they are being killed and react that way.  It's normal, and good survival tactics.  Mary

Very good point here. The only reason I disagree that it was aggressive behavior is that she has been handled a lot before no problem. No chickens around the face is a good idea either way though.

 

[6of6chicks]

No idea why yours bit you, but I do know why my chicken bit me. I'm a HUGE dog lover (they're my babies) and they give me kisses all the time. One day out of pure habit (and not thinking) I made the mistake of making kissy-noises when holding one of my chickens. She responded with a sharp kiss of her own. Lesson learned!

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

Thanks for responding. Yeah, I was hoping it was curiosity. I hold her all the time and never had any problems, but I was talking to my brother while I was holding her. She probably saw my lips moving and wanted a chunk. I'll keep an eye on her (not literally, I'm not putting my face near her again!) and make sure it's not aggression. None of my hens pecked me before, so I was a little worried.

 

[aart]

Yes, good common sense to keep chickens away from your face...those beaks can be very sharp, not to mention they peck around in a poopy environment all day.
I hand feed the chooks regularly, some are very careful and gentle, some are more fearfully exuberant(low on the pecking order)...even the gentle ones can catch some skin....and who knows if that freckle on your arm is something good to eat, ouch!
If they break the skin, I disinfect with HP, just more good common sense.

I don't let butt licking, turd eating dogs lick me either....lol!!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes, good common sense to keep chickens away from your face...those beaks can be very sharp, not to mention they peck around in a poopy environment all day.
I hand feed the chooks regularly, some are very careful and gentle, some are more fearfully exuberant(low on the pecking order)...even the gentle ones can catch some skin....and who knows if that freckle on your arm is something good to eat, ouch!
If they break the skin, I disinfect with HP, just more good common sense.

I don't let butt licking, turd eating dogs lick me either....lol!!

Agreed - especially regarding freckles. I am not a freckled person, but my poor husband is COVERED in them and was quick to learn how attractive that makes him to the birds, lol.