Egg collecting and hand pecking

[PMFchickenguy]

Hello,

I work on a vocational farm that employs people with mental disabilities. One of the things we do is we raise chickens for the eggs. We have quite a few birds and there are maybe 4 or that will peck at your hand when you try to get the eggs. Not a big deal they mostly give a warning nip, however we have one that will constantly peck at your hand hard and even break skin. (I'm the only one who is collecting right now) I don't need her pecking at clients hands and breaking their skin

Not sure what to do about her. Is there thing I can do?

 

[Yep I Talk To Chickens]

Is she also puffing up? Making unusual sound? Spending lots of time in the nesting boxes? If so she is broody and you will have to put her in chicken jail unless you have a roo or give her chicks at night

 

[Bear1978]

Give her a thumb back on the beak when she starts in. Not too hard but hard enough to make her think about it.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Are the chickens confined to the nests, or caged? Can they get off the nest or go into a run after they lay their egg so you can get the egg at a time when the chicken is off the nest? If this is not possible, how about installing roll-out nests so the egg rolls away from the chicken where it can be gathered safely? If the hen could get off the nest but refuses to, and guards her egg, then the hen is broody. There are ways to break a hen of broodiness if you do not want her to hatch eggs. You can search this site for suggestions on breaking a broody hen.

 

[bobbi-j]

If it’s a long term behavior, I’d say move her along to another home for the sake of your clients. You don’t want any of them to develop a fear of chickens.

 

[50-45-1]

What time of day is this egg gathering happening?
Can the eggs not be gathered in the afternoon when everybody has finished laying?
A broody hen sitting on eggs can be very protective of her eggs. Is that what is going on?

 

[bobbi-j]

Even if it’s typical broody behavior, I’d move her along. A broody is not beneficial in that situation.

 

[SilverLacedFarmChik]

Would it be possible to have the clients put work gloves on before gathering eggs?

 

[PMFchickenguy]

She doesn't puff up. She doesn't make any different sounds. I will pull her out of nesting box and she runs away. Gloves are not always available they get lost and right now all we can really use is disposable gloves. Thank you all for your advice...I may have to relocate her

 

[aart]

Even some non-broody hens can bite like the dickens.
Most can be 'trained' to remain calm,
but I have one that still grabs tight and twists.
Best bet is not to gather eggs while birds are on the nests.