Chicks are pecking on me!

[rkelly01]

My chick area about 16 weeks now, I have 3 and 2 of them are starting to peck on me when I go sit by them. It wasn't painful at first and they don't draw blood, but n iw they're breaking the skin and causing slight bruising. Any suggestions for breaking them of this little habit without scaring them? At first I swatted away, but I don't want them afraid of me.

 

[rkelly01]

Hi im sorry, they are 26 weeks old.

 

[hlhutchinson]

I have not had this problem but others have and the advice they have been given is to peck them back so to speak by poking them with your finger this way they know you are at the top of the pecking orde. Good luck and hopefully someone with experience will be able to chime in

 

[BYC910]

them is full grow chickens don't sit down with them . The one pecking the hardest . Is it a rooster ? They see you as food you won't scare them away . You can kick that chicken all the way across the yard and it will still see you as food .

 

[Pork Pie]

 

[hempsteadjb]

My little Buff Orpington (she is my smallest of six) has started pecking my toes, I thought it was because I had on flip flops. I wore boots and she continued to do it. I researched it and found many said they want to be picked up So, I make sure to pet her and show her special attention. I just had knee replacement so I'm having to get SIL to come and feed and water for me. I'm too scared of falling getting in and out of coop so I let them out for a few hours before he comes to get in some free ranging.

 

[aart]

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.

 

[theuglychick]

I've had this happen with my more bold, curious, beggars.

I interpret it as their way of demanding food, haha.

If it hurts too much, I snag a feather from them off their neck or tail.

I usually only have to do this once.

I think they under that Pretty well since that's how they correct one another.

 

[rkelly01]

them is full grow chickens don't sit down with them . The one pecking the hardest . Is it a rooster ? They see you as food you won't scare them away . You can kick that chicken all the way across the yard and it will still see you as food .

No, she's definitely a hen