Hens pecking my shoe and leg

[Mojave78]

Hi everyone,

Every morning when I go out to feed my flock they are waiting anxiously, then I enter their yard area and they all run up to me and surround my feet. Sometimes they will actually peck my shoes. this morning they were all in my way so I took my hand and pushed a few out of my way so I can get to there bowl to feed. My rooster wasn't happy about this and decided to jump at me with his claws. I love my flock but should I allow them to peck at me like this, or are they just saying hello I'm hungry?

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm not sure about your rooster, but my hens have this funny idea that if they peck me I give them food faster. Of course, it actually makes me take longer, but they are so innocent about it I can't get angry. They peck at my hands and sometimes at my legs, sometimes leaving beak marks and bruises. They also like to jump up to try and get the food out my hands.

Hope this helps!



Chickens excited about food. They love to run towards me, and they will chase me if they are hungry. Its very cute, if not sometimes a little frightening.

 

[aart]

Your chickens should actually have a well balanced feed available at all times, then they won't mob you when you come out..
It will also reduce aggression as a lot of aggression has to do with food and territory.
Put enough feed in the feeder to last 24 hours, with a little bit left over....refill it the same time everyday and adjust amount as needed.

A rooster attacking with claws out would not be tolerated here, except in the stew pot.
You don't want to hatch chicks from an aggressive rooster.

How old are your birds and how long have you had them?

 

[GitaBooks]

I've heard supplying food all the time makes chickens not as likely to forage. Is this true?

 

[aart]

I've heard supplying food all the time makes chickens not as likely to forage. Is this true?

Eh, I don't think so.
They would probably rather forage than eat chicken chow, but the nutritionally balanced chow is important.

......and I know for sure if I let the feeder run empty so there's nothing for them to eat in the morning,
they are mighty crabby and aggressive when I refill it.
They are much more content and mellow if they have feed available whenever they need it.

 

[GitaBooks]

Okay. Thanks for the advise.

 

[12 gauge]

our rooster will throw his spurs up at us in the morning sometimes when he is hungry

 

[Alexandra33]

Two out of the three Barred Rocks we have tug at our pant legs to attract attention! And if they feel we are ignoring them, they bite. It's surprisingly really funny and entertaining.

Gitabooks, our chickens and ducks still forage all day even though I consistently keep the feeder filled at all times. Maybe some birds cease to scavenge, but in our case, this doesn't change things at all. As a matter of fact, the poultry has completely obliterated the horrendous tick population in our yard.

-Alexandra33

 

[Mojave78]

I keep the feed bowl full so its definitely not that, but I think its more of a way they choose to communicate with me. My birds are only 7 months they just started laying last month.

 

[Mojave78]

Or it could be they are curious about my shoes and pecking is a way for them to explore.