Misbehaving

[lizzy06019]

Our chicks are 5 weeks old and I've been spending a couple hours a day in their coop with them handling them and getting them used to us. They all like coming up for a visit... some liked to be picked up and held while others just like to stand on me and look at me. This afternoon, my 4 year old came with. He loves holding and petting them. The issue I'm having is they peck at our clothes, shoes, hair, earrings, etc. CONSTANTLY! Now that they're getting bigger, it's kinda hurting and I'm worried as they get bigger it'll just get more and more painful. Is this behavior normal? Is there something I can do to get them to "visit nicely"? At first it was just my shoes and I figured it was because they had mud on them and that interested the chicks... now it's everything! One of them actually pecked at my son's eye today. I'm teaching him how to handle the chicks and to stay away from their faces but he leaned in to kiss the chicks back and got pecked instead. He's fine but I'm worried this could get out of control. Any advice???

 

[debilorrah]

As babies they will peck at anything. As they get older you can find out what triggers them. They like shiney things, so keep them away from your eyes. My chickens love my opal necklace. And nail polish is a sure fire way to get pecked. It is natural behavior to them. It's how they check things out.

 

[lizzy06019]

any other ideas?

 

[kezabel]

mine used to peck everything even their mumma hens eye lids but now they don't

 

[underground chickenman]

That about covers it. They are going to peck. Nothing you can do about that. You aren't going to be able to train them not to, if that's what you are asking. At least not without turning them off of you all together. They don't usually just peck your skin, so I wouldn't worry about that. As the last poster said, they go for something shiny that catches their attention. Mine peck at shoelaces and buttons. I guess you could only go in the coop with coveralls on, but that doesn't seem necessary.

UGCM

 

[Mattemma]

My RSL hens will be a year old in May,and they peck at my shoe laces when I am in the run with them.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

They peck to figure things out, is this edible, will this thing move if pecked, is that a bug? When they are older, some may peck at your leg to get your attention.


Please get yourself and your son some safety glasses - you can get them at a home improvement store or even a cheap pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes. They do like shiny things AND things that move - eyes qualify for both and some chicks will fly at eyes to peck and check out.

 

[lizzy06019]

Quote:
Great suggestion!!!!! I wear glasses so I think I'm OK, but I'll definitely get my son a pair of cool chicken coop glasses

He'll love the idea too!!!!

 

[beckymom3]

Not having fingers or opposable thumbs, they peck. Think of their beaks as their hands. If they are curious, they peck. If they are happy to see you, they peck. I just stroke their head, hypnotize them a bit, or give them a treat to distract them from whatever they are pecking at I don't want them to peck at.

Oh, and like bulls, chickens go mad for the color red! And their eyesight is amazing.... so stick to pastels....

 

[lizzy06019]

Quote:
That would explain the fascination with my red muck boots... LOL