Is it normal for "nice" pullets to peck at me??

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

So I have 6 pullets who are about 3mo old and they are VERY social. Without fail, every time I go out there, if I sit down (or even briefly lean down to pour their water) they will jump on my lap or shoulders. I love it when they do this, and they are not mean at all, but they WILL peck my eyes and mouth whenever they get the chance. Is this normal for them or are they bored or something? They have a lot of perches, grass, and space in general. Is it because they think me a threat? I would think not, since they jump all over me and get very excited when I enter the run. I suspect this is totally normal, but how do I stop it?

Incase it matters, the breeds are: Cuckoo Marans (she's the biggest perpetrator), Lavender Orpington, Dark Brahma (she's the most independent), Black Australorp, Olive Egger, and Blue Laced Gold Wyandotte.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do you wear mskeup? Red lipstick? Anything shiny or sparkly around your eyes? False eyelashes, which may look like caterpillars to them?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Do you wear mskeup? Red lipstick? Anything shiny or sparkly around your eyes? False eyelashes, which may look like caterpillars to them?

Nope. I never wear any makeup. The most I do is put a small amount of Bag Balm on my lips in the morning.

 

[townchicks]

That's pretty normal, they are just exploring their world, seeing if you have anything to eat. My chickens sometimes peck at my freckles on my hands. Some people have reported their chickens peck at their red toenail polish, rings, earrings, etc. That's how they learn.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I was going to say if you do, stop. But since you don't, then I would advise you to just stop letting them jump on you and letting them near your face. They can do you serious and positive harm. Wear safety glasses while you teach them to stay off you. This is a bad and dangerous habit.

 

[User690263]

This is a normal behavior!
My chickens have all done it, though as they get older they don't do it as much

 

[saysfaa]

Normal, not aggressive, dangerous to people.

I wanted to stop it without scaring them. Shifting my position worked well enough for the shoulders... basically make myself an unstable perch.

On my lap was harder partly because I liked them on my legs and even on my lap as long as they weren't contemplating how to eat my face. Mostly, I moved them back by whatever was the smallest intervention necessary. Sometimes, blowing air was enough. Often, a pushing motion toward them was enough. Sometimes, an actual nudge was needed. A few times, I lifted them off.

Novel sounds didn't work very well.

Deciding to catch them worked pretty well but I considered that to close to scaring them to use that very often. I didn't have to actually try to catch them because they read body language well enough to tell when the decision was made even when I didn't think I was moving different or having a different posture.

Eyes and lips tend to be particularly food-like due to moisture/reflective, their size and shape, and movements. Even without any kind of makeup.

 

[RoyalChick]

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes.
Mine go for my fingers mainly.