Chicken is pecking me!!!

[c1casino]

I have a RIR and a Buff Orfington. Lately, everytime I go to gather the eggs, and feed and water them, Rhoda (RIR) pecks me!! On the hand the feet, or anywhere she can and her feathers are all ruffled up when she does. Buffy doesn't. I used to be able to pet Rhoda, but she sure seems awfully mean. What's the problem? The coop is about a 6x8, so I don't think it's a space problem. Anyone got any ideas? They're both 6 months old, and both are laying.

 

[cherig22]

From what I have been reading, I think she is telling you she is the head chicken. They peck those below them in the 'pecking' order to show them who is boss.

Someone will chime in to tell you how to become alpha chicken, I really can't remember.

Cheri

 

[ChooksChick]

I'm having the same problem, but it's NOT the head chicken. It's the bottom of the order girl who does it to me...so it's possible it's something else, too...I'ts a bad time of year for this, but is it possible she's getting broody?

 

[rooster-red]

When she bites, reach over and grab her by the beak and hold it for a couple of seconds.

Do that for a few days and she won't bite you again.

 

[c1casino]

I thought she might be getting broody, but I thought that occurred after their first year. Also, I'll try the beak thing tomorrow and will definitely being wearing gloves and shoes and socks (no flip flops) lol. Have no problems with her trying to set. Both chickens lay in the same box even though there are four spaces. I gather eggs everyday and Rhoda isn't setting on them when I do go to the coop.

 

[aiwetir]

my girls all peck at me, but it's some precursor to sitting on me. i think they are arranging their nest (my clothes) before they sit on me,

sometimes they grab my skin a bit hard through the clothes.

 

[cmom]

I have RIR's. One in particular was pecking at me. She would jump up and try to take a chunk out of my hand. I just gave her a smack a couple of times and she stopped doing it. Once I gave her a swift kick with the side of my shoe. She hasn;t tried anything in a long while now.

 

[spook]

Technically you are stealing her "babies".

 

[omelette'smom]

My 2 EE's do that! Rip your hand off while you try to get an egg!

 

[Bugdude]

One of my RIR's does it as well. normally I will let them out of the run and go collect the eggs. She will follow me and give me a peck about mid shin/calf, each time. I figure its one of those "Hey do you know what it took to push that out and your stealing it?" things, but from what Ive read they do not have emotion for their eggs.
She also squats for me to pet her and will peck at my hands sometimes. Too bad she was the nice one lol.