Chickens over enthusiastic about being hand fed. Normal chicken behavior?

[Tatuana]

My three oldest chickens (Born Jan. 21st) have been hand fed since day 1. I've limited how many treats they get, and not every day. They'll also eat feed out of my hand if it's too close to them while I fill their food dish. Lately they've been getting a bit too excited about me being in the same room. They all come screaming over and fight with each other over who gets the 'treats' first. Even when I'm not carrying anything, or made the treat call. They see me as nothing more than a treat machine. Which is fine, chickens will be chickens.

This morning's incident got me wondering if that's normal, though. They've always liked my wedding ring - sparkly silver, what's not to like, right? But lately it's gone too far, to the point where I have to take off my ring for fear of them ripping out the diamond. They seem to think it's food and try to really rip it off my hand. I've had it off for about a week now when I tend to their needs. They still come shooting at me screaming (and pecking each other) thinking I have treats/food.
Today while I was feeding them they got a little over excited. When I hand feed them they get greedy and peck food up as fast as they can - who cares what it is, gotta eat it before the other babies do. As a result they tend to peck my skin a little bit (dry hands) trying to get the food.
While I was feeding them - out of a measuring cup so they don't rip the bag apart during feeding time - they started pecking at my hand again. I made the mistake of letting them have the feed that spilled into my hand. They went into a frenzy, and pecked at the back of my hand. This time they took skin off my hand. I now have two small chunks of the very top layer of skin missing.

Luckily I'm used to attempted murder from my felines, so I had all the stuff needed to clean it. I didn't even notice it until a little while later since I'm covered in feline claw marks, and chicken claw marks due to one being very timid. (Sick cat does NOT like the vet). Even though the wound is minimal, clearly that's a big no-no. I've stopped getting anywhere near them without long sleeves and thick garden gloves - which they still peck at for food.

It got me wondering, is that normal for chickens? The frenzy for food, and ONLY seeing me as a food source? I also let them out, clean their cages, take them outside, talk to them. But all they care about is food. Is it also normal for them to rip skin off in their frantic hurry to get food? If it's normal I'll adjust my feeding habits for them so they don't hurt anyone. If it's not normal though, it needs to change. Eventually these babies are going to a farm with a 3 year old. I can't have the kid getting hurt.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It is normal if they are hungry. They are ravenous eaters and should have a chicken feed appropriate for the age of the bird available all waking hours. Are you not providing that? Why are you hand feeding them rather than providing a feeder full of feed?
When the crop is empty, they are starving.

 

[aart]

Hand feeding can lead to this.....so can not having feed available every hour they are awake.

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

 

[Tatuana]

I do feed them the correct food, and keep their dish full. It gets a bit low in the morning. When I lean in to refill it they come after me.

 

[Tatuana]

Hand feeding can lead to this.....so can not having feed available every hour they are awake.

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

I will try this, thank you! Should I just cut out hand feeding all together? It seems unlikely that they'd be able to understand the difference between routine care and treats. They do understand that "chick chick chick" means goodies. Maybe I could poke them if they come running and attack when I don't have treats? I don't want to confuse the things and cause more harm than good.

 

[WindingRoad]

I do feed them the correct food, and keep their dish full. It gets a bit low in the morning. When I lean in to refill it they come after me.

Pavlov would be proud of you. OMG they don't know whether you have feed or not in your hand but they sure aren't gonna walk away from your hand. I'd suggest you take their feeder out quickly and refill it. No more hand feeding. They'll get the clue. You've spoiled them. BTW most of the rest of us have done the same thing. KWIM. My adult bird act the same way.

 

[aart]

I will try this, thank you! Should I just cut out hand feeding all together? It seems unlikely that they'd be able to understand the difference between routine care and treats. They do understand that "chick chick chick" means goodies. Maybe I could poke them if they come running and attack when I don't have treats? I don't want to confuse the things and cause more harm than good.

Might want to suspend hand feeding for now...and lift their bowl to refill.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Might want to suspend hand feeding for now...and lift their bowl to refill.

Yes, that and I think they may be getting beyond the point of being kept in cages.

 

[aart]

and I think they may be getting beyond the point of being kept in cages.

Missed the cages part.....how big are the 'cages' @Tatuana ?

 

[Tatuana]

Sorry, cage is wrong word! They have a seven foot long coop I keep them in at night in my basement. They spend most of the time outside. I say cage because all my other pets are caged. It's chicken wire attached to 2x4s with a cat litter box full of dirt to dig in, perches, a heating pad, and in the corner is a clear plastic container with a lid for tiny babies.