Chicken Lickin' Boots!

[Yorkshire lass]

Hi there,

I understand that behaviour can spread from one chicken to all others in a short period i.e. feather plucking. Has anyone experienced their chickens pecking/licking their boots lol?! We moved house nearly a month ago now so not sure if the new environment might have excited one or two a bit too much and they honed in on my boots for a bit of comfort. Nearly half of them, around 6 regularly, on a daily basis go for my boots whilst I'm putting out food and water, or just sitting with my Hubby in the garden! They even go to the boot stand outside the kitchen for a fix. The boots are regular garden variety ... and are black, not red lol.

 

[SueT]

Mine like to peck at my boots when I've been out walking in the weeds and there's grass and seeds all over them....
It concerns me because in warm weather, I spray my boots with bug repellant.

 

[Yorkshire lass]

How about using warm water and essential oils? Bugs don't like the oils.

Superb website for all things organic and chicken related:
fresheggsdaily.com

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since you recently moved I wonder if they're fixating on your boots because the boots are familiar to them.

A few of mine do peck my garden boots (I always wear the same boots in the run) or sit on them but they don't do it obsessively.