How does one discipline a biting pullet?

[dbjay417]

I've never been pecked by any of my current flock, but the fighting roos I rescued, pecked and occasionally drew blood from me when changing out the water or feed.

Animals may not be intelligent, they cant reason like humans, so you have to appeal to their senses. I find that ,care, fear, petting and pain, are the best ways to make an animal see the error of their ways.

Some times spending time with a bird and rubbing it and interacting with it regularly really takes the edge off.

On occasion though there are hardbutts that require a more agressive approach. A light whack with a stick usually puts them in line, and still harder cases, those that cannot be reformed to behave well, need to be made to fear you to stay out of your way all together. A firm grip around the neck shouting "I'm gonna make soup!!" right in its face will typically place the fear of God in a chicken. Also feel free to use explatives, they seem to really responde to explatives.

 

[jeaucamom]

 

[bills]

I wonder if you carrried a squirt gun with you, and gave the bird a squirt in the face every time it trys to bite. That might stop the behavior without resorting to giving it a whack.

If not, as others suggested, get your revenge by eating it!

 

[thndrdancr]

I am pretty sure its attention getting, as she doesnt like to be anywhere without me. I have had her inside since her buddy is a lil showgirl who shivers constantly. When I have them out, she does NOT like it when I am not in the same room with her.

Dash on the other hand could care less, I am just that "wicked lady that puts me in the box". Its funny, Lily doesnt mind her box, she jumps in to eat or if she gets tired, etc.

So it has to be to get attention. Been trying to give her a little more lovin, and she didnt peck me at all today. Its hard, as things have been really busy in the household this last few weeks.

 

[Jajika]

I have an attack chicken also. She just started pecking me last fall during that very hard molt. I thought she did it because she was uncomfortable and that it would stop. But, it hasn't.

It doesn't hurt. She pecks at my pant leg. But, it bothers me. I can't understand it.

My concern is my grandchildren. They love to gointo the chicken yard (large fenced in area in my orchard. Lots of room to roam.) I don't want them to get pecked.

Does anyone understand this behavior?

Geri in Northern California

 

[seminolewind]

The squirt gun sounds good, with lemon juice. I also heard that if you hold them upside down by their legs for a few seconds, it calms them down. My Grandmother wouldn't let me hold a chicken till she held it upside down for a few seconds so it wouldn't bite me, of course that was 40 years ago.
Mine , too, got real affectionate and submissive right before they laid an egg. I have one right now who is getting quite submissive, and vocal, and I think she'll be next to lay.
Good luck