Can I peck back at my chickens?

[TheSavage1]

I have 5 black sex link chickens around 3 months old and they are sure liking to be little peckers at me. How do I get them to stop pecking at my fingers and hands and keep them tame and friendly? I have been resorting to flicking back at them or just catching them and make them let me pet them. Any help would be great.

 

[Mylied]

Um, pecking is how the explore things. They aren't doing it to be mean. Just spend time with them and give them treats. They'll come running every time they see you.

 

[TheCochinMomma]

I wouldn't flick them it might turn them mean, however I had one who would constantly try to peck me I began to try to 'cuddle' her each time I visited the couple, and she's tamed down

 

[TheSavage1]

I wouldn't flick them it might turn them mean, however I had one who would constantly try to peck me I began to try to 'cuddle' her each time I visited the couple, and she's tamed down

That's what's I don't want to happen but at the same time I want them to know who is boss. That is why I mostly just catch them and pet them for a little. But dang it sure hurts sometimes when they get me and it is a instant reaction to flicking them. I was just thinking that if there is a pecking order I want them to know I am on top. But I will keep on trying to just be patient and keep petting them.

 

[TheSavage1]

Um, pecking is how the explore things. They aren't doing it to be mean. Just spend time with them and give them treats. They'll come running every time they see you.

Thank you.

 

[TheCochinMomma]

Yes, just keep working with them. The one that pecked me is a white Leghorn, but my one black sex link isn't very fond of me, no matter how much I cuddle her.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You can "peck" them if they get overzealous with you, they do seem to understand the message that sends. I use my index and middle finger and lightly jab the back of the neck or head if I feel they're ramping up in their enthusiasm and I want them to back off a little. They can still have their treats but they're not allowed to eat my hand.

As long as you're not poking at them all the time chickens don't get mad about it.

 

[barred2rock]

My Barred Rocks used to peck me pretty hard at times. I'd "peck" them back with my finger and chase them at arms length (without getting up). They still peck me, but never as hard as they used to. They're still tame, although I don't pick them up very often; so they're not too fond of it when I do. They will hang out on my lap, shoulders and sometimes even my head without much pecking.

 

[Dayrel]

I have a couple that will peck at my legs insistently periodically. But I've found out that they are simply asking for attention. Pick them up and play with them and they calm right down.

 

[Fluttering-about]

That's what's I don't want to happen but at the same time I want them to know who is boss. That is why I mostly just catch them and pet them for a little. But dang it sure hurts sometimes when they get me and it is a instant reaction to flicking them. I was just thinking that if there is a pecking order I want them to know I am on top. But I will keep on trying to just be patient and keep petting them.

There is the word of my day!! Catch. Do any of you have to "catch" your hens? My kids laugh hysterically watching me try to catch one of my chickens!