Excited about this new journey...but have questions.....

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blueyezmt11

blueyezmt11

Hatching
7 Years
Aug 27, 2012
7
0
7
Southeast Iowa
Hello everyone!! I'm pretty new here and I just wanted to jump right in with a few questions. But first I will let you know a little about me. I live in SouthEast Iowa. I have raised livestock my whole life. When I was growing up we always had chickens and I am just getting back in to it. I am in a VERY small town in a rural area. I live with my BF of 3 years. I have 2 daughters, one is 2 and the other is 11. My boyfriend just built me the greatest little chicken coop. I have 3 Buff Orps, 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Black Australorpes, 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes, 3 Blue Cochins, 2 Silver Laced Cochins, 2 Golden Laced Cochins and one Naked Neck. They are all hens and they are going to be 18 weeks old in 2 days. They are all very beautiful and I love them SO much. I can't wait to start collecting eggs!
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I joined Backyard Chickens and I am very excited to talk with all kinds of people and share this amazing life of Chickens. LOL.

I do have some questions because I am just starting out AGAIN and I want do do things a little differently then before.

First, my girls are all so beautiful. We are in the coop with them everyday to feed, water and interact with them. I'm pretty bummed out though because any time that we go into the coop they like to peck at our feet and legs. I have never had chickens do this before......why are they doing this and how can we get them to stop?????

Second, I have just started them on layer pellets(full time) today, and they have full access to oyster shells and grit....is this sufficient? Should I change or add anything?

I love input and advice....I'm always trying to make myself better at anything I do.
Thanks in advance and I can't wait to hear from everyone!!
 
Do you wear shorts or sandals into the coop? Chickens like to peck at toes etc. If so wearing tougher jeans and shoes or boots may avert the pecking. On the other hand they may be pecking to get more attention from you Or if you frequently give them treats when you visit - they might be over anxious.
 
Hello and welcome from Ohio....so glad you joined BYC

My chickens do the same thing because they want me to pick them up. My fault tho, I taught them :)
 
Chickens have an uncanny ability to single out the tiniest anomaly in things they see. They are also the most nosy and investigative creatures ever. Perhaps when they are pecking at your legs, they are seeing variances in your skin such as freckles, which to them could be a morsel of food. (And of course, any self respecting chicken simply MUST check it out to see if it is in fact, food). At which point, any nearby chicken will also feel compelled to check it out. Then you've got a bunch of birds pecking at your feet and legs and you don't know why and THEY don't know why, they just know that if there's even the slightest chance of scoring a morsel of whatever that other chicken found, they're gonna get some too!

Or, they could just want your attention. Who knows with chickens?!?

Either way, welcome to BYC!
 
Thanks for such a warm welcome all! I'm excited to be here. ....I'm hoping they grow out of the little peccking thing. I just had it chalked up to the fact that they were still young and curious but I'm afraid my 2 year old will not want to be in with the chickens for fear of being pecked at. They don't care what you are wearing, they peck no mater what. LOL
 

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