Chickens jumping on my back...just to sit and visit

[Jajika]

Sounds like you have really taken action to keep your girls safe. Good for you.

I have my chicken yard fenced in top and sides. I do what I can. So far they have never had another day or night-time predator.

I also use the solar powered lights that go on at dusk. Some folks here don't think they work, but they've worked for me for 10 years, even before I covered the top. I see Racoon's walk all over my property and never go near the chicken yard.

Just one more thing to think about. They don't cost much and are easy to put up. After that, no maintenance.

Good job. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Dorishaslop]

Yes I live in Spain in Europe.... so at present I have three hens that I love to bits so their protection is my priority... I also have a large aviary with canaries and finches in it.... after the fox attacks I was putting the hens in there at night... however last night I was brushing and washing the floor and when I came back with the second can of water I spotted a ruddy great snake in there... I think it was after a clutch of eggs one canary is sitting on, (and that would explain the disappearance of another clutch of eggs last month) I ran to my neighbour who is braver than me and she came running with a pair of barbecue tongs... and proceeded only to infuriate the snake... my goodness you should have heard it hisssss...... she could have been bitten but was lucky... I think she was only that brave as she'd had a couple of drinkies.. so the snake escaped under the concrete that the aviary is on... we blocked all the holes we could find so hopefully it will starve in there.... Where I live in Spain is very rural and up in the mountains... we have some really nasty critters up here.... only last week I came home to find a megarian banded centipede in the house.... they are very large and very aggressive too.... sometimes wonder if I should run home to England ha ha ha xx

 

[Peeps61]

Hi Doris,

Yes, we have some really nasty critters in NW Florida too. Snakes galore, especially the rattlesnakes and cottonmouth moccasins. Both are venomous and love bird eggs. Rattlesnakes tend to live and let live, but cottonmouths are aggressive. They will chase you!
I have read that putting mothballs out can help to discourage snakes. They sure stink, so it may actually work!

 

[JennySkarsten]

I am new at keeping chickens and spoil them to death. I handle them every day and bring them into my house for maybe about 10 minutes each. Today I had one of my Barred Rocks inside. She had an accident. While I was bent over cleaning up, she jumped on my back. This has never happened to me before and of course startled me. I think she just wanted me to take her back outside as she kept looking at me sideways and actually pecked my arm before this happened. Was also being vocal and clucking at me. I would not encourage this to happen again as I think that mine was being dominate and demanding.

 

[Jajika]

I had a couple of Americaunas, new to me. I've never had a chicken jump on my back, but I found it delightful. They cooed and nuzzled me and each other.

I've kept chickens for 15 years, and these are first. From my perspective, it felt trusting and affectionate.

 

[sirschuster]

Same thing happened to me yesterday, and they look like the pair on your back!

 

[Jajika]

They do look just like my chickens. How funny.

Must be the breed?

I love feeling their little feet on my back.

 

[lovemy6hens]

It's neat to see all of these pictures. My chickens also like to have a ride and snuggle when they're sleepy. It's the sweetest and most unexpected thing about them! My easter egger and my wyandotte will perch like parrots while I walk around the yard (the neighbors must have a good laugh). My wyandotte also seems to enjoy helping with the shop vac. She hears it and comes running to me to sit on my back or shoulder. Such a good helper!

 

[Peeps61]

I had posted earlier about my chicks - well, they are now 5 1/2 months old, and ALL of them are laying eggs. I have eggs coming out of my ears! What's neat about my little flock of 10 (3 2 year old hens and 7 pullets) is that they know ME. They don't run up to just anybody, they run up to me. They know my car and my voice. It's really heartwarming to me how trusting they are of me, but so skittish around others or things they don't know about. I can sit down with them and they will jump in my lap, pull on my clothes and try to peck at freckles, etc., but it's all good!

 

[lovemy6hens]

So I guess this happens all the time? 

What does it mean. Is it actually a dominance behavior? 

I've also wondered if it's a dominance behavior or if they simply like me and feel safe with me as their flock leader. The two who ride on my shoulder are at the top of the pecking order but do the squatting thing, sometimes at just the sound of my voice.