Fixing bad behavior? Help!

[echo81577]

I'm having two problems with my 10 chickens and hope y'all can help. Anytime I go in there when they constantly swarm my feet, so much so that I can't even walk. It's really becoming a huge problem. Secondly, they are constantly jumping on top of me and my arms and into the feed bucket. They are about 3 months old, and I thought it was cute when they were little but now this is getting out of hand. Please help.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Sounds like a typical day to me. It's the price you pay to have friendly birds!

If you really want to deter them, most chickens don't enjoy being pet. So if I have a chicken on me (or on my stuff) that I want to get off, I'll give them some gentle pets on the back. Works every time.

As for walking around, I just keep yelling, "LOOK OUT!" It never works. Let me know if you come up with something better.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm having two problems with my 10 chickens and hope y'all can help. Anytime I go in there when they constantly swarm my feet, so much so that I can't even walk. It's really becoming a huge problem. Secondly, they are constantly jumping on top of me and my arms and into the feed bucket. They are about 3 months old, and I thought it was cute when they were little but now this is getting out of hand. Please help.

Toss the food on the ground away from you as soon as you come into their area. Scatter it.

 

[echo81577]

Thanks for commiserating, but it's getting dangerous that someone is going to get injured with me trying to walk. And none what in my family want to get jumped all over, so noone will help me. I hope someone has ideas for us both. Maybe I need to have a open feed system, but hey get plenty as is. And I can't afford for them to eat tons all day long. Anything else?

 

[Evadig]

Try pushing them away with your foot (firmly but don't kick them). I have a hen that wants to walk in right front of me so I give her treats. She's finally getting the idea.

For them jumping on you, knock them off every time and say "NO" loudly. Much like you'd train a puppy. I'm not sure how well this would work (mine never wanted to get that close) but it might be worth a try.

Hope this helps!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Did you see my suggestion? It's not you they want, it's the food. Get rid of it, throw it on the ground. They'll get away from you and go for the food.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How much do you feed? It almost sounds like they're not getting enough to eat and that's why they're mobbing you.

And I can't afford for them to eat tons all day long.

I keep food in feeders all day so they can help themselves plus they free range a good part of the day to nibble on grasses, forage for bugs, etc. That's what chickens do.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Yeah, they are starving. Chickens are browsers, eating small amounts of food all the time. They need feed available 24/7. If you have a small budget, I'd suggest fewer hens. Or a cheaper feed if you are feeding something expensive like organic.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yeah, they are starving. Chickens are browsers, eating small amounts of food all the time. They need feed available 24/7. If you have a small budget, I'd suggest fewer hens. Or a cheaper feed if you are feeding something expensive like organic.

Not 24/7 though. They don't eat or drink at night.

 

[Al Gerhart]

True, but who wants to have to be in the coop at daylight and back at dusk to move the feeder and water? Bringing in the feed at night just means any vermin feed during the day. Doesn't stop feed theft, just changes the time of day the theft occurs.