My Cochin Obsessed With My Face!

[WildCochinReba]

Okay, in the other forum I wrote that she pecks my clothes for food its just tugging but when I lay on the floor with them she tries her hardest to peck and pull my lips. She's done this as a three week old chick and now she's a month old and still doing it. I covered my face with my hands, she doesn't peck just stretches her neck moving back and forth chirping loudly so determine to peck my lips. Does anyone know why? Oh, and the little diva made me bleed.

 

[donrae]

This is probably not the answer you're wanting, but IMO it doesn't matter why. Don't let her near your face! Animals don't belong in human's faces. You can cuddle her just as well holding her on your lap where she can't reach you.

Allowing her to peck at you is just setting yourself up for problems in the future. If she continues, flick her with your finger or "peck" her back with your hand. Don't make a game of it, do it firmly enough she quits what she's doing.

Being this assertive at such a young age would make me really suspicious of the bird being a cockerel.

 

[WildCochinReba]

This is probably not the answer you're wanting, but IMO it doesn't matter why. Don't let her near your face! Animals don't belong in human's faces. You can cuddle her just as well holding her on your lap where she can't reach you. 

Allowing her to peck at you is just setting yourself up for problems in the future. If she continues, flick her with your finger or "peck" her back with your hand. Don't make a game of it, do it firmly enough she quits what she's doing. 

Being this assertive at such a young age would make me really suspicious of the bird being a cockerel. 

I do, I tap her on the head and back but she just doesn't stop pecking my clothes! I'll stop laying on the floor with them. And oh my gosh, a cockerel?! I REALLY hope not!

 

[WildCochinReba]

Is there anything else I can do to stop this behavior? And how old does the Cochin have to be to tell if it's a male?

 

[WildCochinReba]

I'll continue to tap the bird on the back and try to fix that behavior.

 

[mimsy]

I've had several birds, including chickens over the years that seem fascinated with either lips (I actually think it's our teeth) or eyes. They have all been hens, so I would worry about it being a roo unless there is more to it than that. The ones I have interested never completely loose interest and you can see their little eyes pinning when they see it.

Rule of thumb, don't let them near your face if they are interested like that. Chickens can peck pretty hard when they are adults and you really don't want to be pecked in the mouth..or eye. I just push the offender away till they get the drift that they are not allowed in my bubble.

I think it's confusing to some of them of what is food and what is not. Shiney teeth can be interesting. Mouths in general our interesting, especially if you eat where they can see you. Have you ever given them something really yummy and watch how they all steal it from each other? I think chicken code of courtesy is far different than ours. They see no issue stealing something from you either.

 

[WildCochinReba]

I've had several birds, including chickens over the years that seem fascinated with either lips (I actually think it's our teeth) or eyes.  They have all been hens, so I would worry about it being a roo unless there is more to it than that.   The ones I have interested never completely loose interest and you can see their little eyes pinning when they see it.    

Rule of thumb, don't let them near your face if they are interested like that.   Chickens can peck pretty hard when they are adults and you really don't want to be pecked in the mouth..or eye. I just push the offender away till they get the drift that they are not allowed in my bubble. 

I think it's confusing to some of them of what is food and what is not.  Shiney teeth can be interesting.  Mouths in general our interesting, especially if you eat where they can see you.  Have you ever given them something really yummy and watch how they all steal it from each other?   I think chicken code of courtesy is far different than ours.      They see no issue stealing something from you either.

Thank you so much for your very helpful reply! I mean it, thank you!