Hen Pecks at Me

[CalBickieMomma]

I’ve always interpreted it as searching for treats (since we ALWAYS have them hidden on our person, right? ). My little RIR pullet climbed into my lap the other day and did the squat scratching, peck scrape thing until I put my arm around her and she settled in for some wuvvies from Momma Chicken.

I’ve had hens who will stand on my toes and start scratching for goodies, and another who will fly on my back and start scratching at my shirt as if trying to uproot bugs.

My Easter Egger pullet is a self-proclaimed princess drama queen. She’ll ‘whine’ at my feet to get me to pick her up and when I sit in the run with them in my lawn chair, she’ll climb into my lap and cuddle her head into the crook of my elbow and take a nap.

I have no scientific proof, but I’m convinced it’s a sign of affection and trust - and the knowledge that you often provide goodies from time to time. Count yourself blessed to have earned the love of your newest pets .

 

[Mimi13]

Anybody that says they're stupid has never had one.
Hobo intergrated herself into the flock and has been the boss since her first day loose.
She dosen't cluck either, just growls like Marge Simpson.
Dutch is my parrot, always on my shoulder she'll fly from the ground to get up there.
I don't think she's ever going to get any bigger, all three of my meyers birds are tiny weird thing they're seprate breeds.

When we decided to get chickens my DH and I wanted to choose four different birds and name them after each of our grandmothers. Lena was chosen and named after his paternal granny simply because she always kept ‘dominickers’ as she called them. I have often wondered if all Dominiques are are forceful as the one I have and after listening to you they just may be. My little ‘Lean-er’, as the old folks used to call his granny, is truly something else. She makes me wonder what a Dominique rooster would be like. I’m not so sure I’d like that forcefulness coming from a male.

 

[Mimi13]

I’ve always interpreted it as searching for treats (since we ALWAYS have them hidden on our person, right? ). My little RIR pullet climbed into my lap the other day and did the squat scratching, peck scrape thing until I put my arm around her and she settled in for some wuvvies from Momma Chicken.

I’ve had hens who will stand on my toes and start scratching for goodies, and another who will fly on my back and start scratching at my shirt as if trying to uproot bugs.

My Easter Egger pullet is a self-proclaimed princess drama queen. She’ll ‘whine’ at my feet to get me to pick her up and when I sit in the run with them in my lawn chair, she’ll climb into my lap and cuddle her head into the crook of my elbow and take a nap.

I have no scientific proof, but I’m convinced it’s a sign of affection and trust - and the knowledge that you often provide goodies from time to time. Count yourself blessed to have earned the love of your newest pets .

I know there are bad or mean chickens out there that do some of the things we’ve mentioned, however, I am going to have to agree with you on my chickens being a little assertive when it comes to attention seeking. In the end, that’s what they are wanting...or a treat!