My pullets keep pecking me

[Frostette]

I've spent a lot of time with my 11 chicks since they were a day or 2 old. They are now 3 months old and peck me when I'm visiting them. And it hurts! I've never had chickens that have done this. They love me to spend time with them and take turns sitting on my lap, shoulders, arms...... But I have to wear shoes and long pants now when I go in cause they begin pecking as soon as I sit down. Why are they doing this?

 

[nuthatched]

Do you have freckles?
I have freckles on my legs, now with little beak scars....

 

[aart]

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Have had this happen several times, mostly with hand fed chicks often as they come of age and get spunky. It's pretty easily curbed with calm and deliberate determination.

I peck them back, on the head or anywhere I can reach, with the tips of thumb and first 2 fingers, as hard and fast as many times as I can before they get away. Well, not hard enough to hurt them, just startle them and let them you mean business. That's what another chicken would do, so they understand that kind of communication.

If that doesn't work after a couple applications, I hold them down to the ground with my hand on their back until they submit....again firmly enough to get the job done but not hurt them....add a few finger pecks and/or tug on the feathers on the back of their neck.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Because bare skin is delicious. The birds go after my husband's back when he crouches down and his shirt rides up. They don't touch me (they know better than that),

 

[Memoli]

They want attention / treats...

 

[Folly's place]

@aart has it right again!
You were happy to 'spoil' them, and it's time to show them that they are being rude. Other chickens, including a broody hen, would let them know that this is not acceptable, by pecking just as aart recommends.
Some individual birds are just bolder than average, and might take frequent reminders before (almost) giving it up.
And I always were shoes or boots and jeans out there! Dressing appropriately has saved me from actual wounds many times.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

@Sueby, carry something that extends your reach! If your feed bucket is not low enough, how about a stick of some sort? Be able to reach out and touch them!
And wear jeans and shoes or boots too.
Mary

 

[Sueby]

Good idea guys, I have a grabber I could probably 'peck' them with! I'll give it a try.

I try & shove them out of my way with my foot & they just squat.

 

[Folly's place]

Wear jeans and shoes or boots! Getting wounded is not fun, and having them not respect your space is not good.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Throw treats on the ground away from where you are standing, so they don't crowd you. Then correct the couple of pullets who are pushy anyway.
Mary