My hen jumps on me before bed...

[FunnyBunny89]

This lady has been jumping on me since she was around 9-10 weeks old. She's close to 18 weeks now. I have several pictures of her jumping on me immediately after getting up on the roost. Is this a comfort thing? She always eventually goes back to the roost now, but when she was little, I would have to place her back. I know she's at the bottom of the hierarchy, but they all sleep pretty well together these days.

Is this just an old habit or is this her way of calming down before bed? Does anyone else have a chicken that does this?

Ps this is the first time she jumped on my head. It hurt!

 

[FunnyBunny89]

Here are my older pics from when she was a young pullet.

 

[Mrs. K]

To each their own way, but I would discourage this. Birds are attracted to shiny things and can peck your eyes. They can give wicked scratches from their nails that have been walking in chicken manure. I would stop this.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

To each their own way, but I would discourage this. Birds are attracted to shiny things and can peck your eyes. They can give wicked scratches from their nails that have been walking in chicken manure. I would stop this.

How do you stop it?? I did not enjoy the head perch at all. I haven't been in the coop when they roost in a long time so I didn't expect her to keep doing this.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

How do you stop it?? I did not enjoy the head perch at all. I haven't been in the coop when they roost in a long time so I didn't expect her to keep doing this.

To be clear, I never encouraged it. I took the pics because it was entertaining but never did I beckon her or welcome her, nor did I hold my arm out for it. I would be reaching for something and she would just jump up, or I would walk in and she would suddenly jump to my shoulder.

 

[FunnyBunny89]

To each their own way, but I would discourage this. Birds are attracted to shiny things and can peck your eyes. They can give wicked scratches from their nails that have been walking in chicken manure. I would stop this.

Seriously, if you have any idea on how to discourage it, I'm all ears...

 

[Evadig]

Seriously, if you have any idea on how to discourage it, I'm all ears...

I don't have hens jump on me, but one does like to crouch right in front of me while I'm walking...she's a tripping hazard if there ever was one!
I just move her out of the way, not very nicely it must be admitted (not kicking her, but a light shove) and hope she'll get the hang of it. I've also sprayed her with the hose when she does that.
Maybe if you make it unpleasant for them they'll stop eventually? Hope this helps!

 

[FunnyBunny89]

I don't have hens jump on me, but one does like to crouch right in front of me while I'm walking...she's a tripping hazard if there ever was one!
I just move her out of the way, not very nicely it must be admitted (not kicking her, but a light shove) and hope she'll get the hang of it. I've also sprayed her with the hose when she does that.
Maybe if you make it unpleasant for them they'll stop eventually? Hope this helps!

Thank you! I'll have to ponder it. She does it suddenly, I never see it coming, and it's always from the roosting bar. Nobody else does it, and she otherwise doesn't let me hold her or pet her or anything. I might just have to avoid being around her during bed time...

 

[rosemarythyme]

Seriously, if you have any idea on how to discourage it, I'm all ears...

Push her off or gently swat her off when she tries it - nothing hard enough to hurt, but make it clear you don't want her there. Or if you know she'll attempt to jump on you when you get close to the roost, see if you can keep some distance to discourage her from attempting in the first place.

 

[Mrs. K]

Reach your hand out first as you approach the roosts. If she fly toward you, do not let her land so that she misses and goes to the floor.

Avoiding the roost at nighttime is a good idea, but be firm in not letting them on your arms, shoulders or head.