New Owner - Pushy Hens!

[kevinhannan]

I am the proud caretaker of ten lovely little hens.

They came to me as ex-bats and after just a few days
of carefully-minded manners they are really establishing
their pecking order - and that seems to include me!

My problem is that while they have masses of room,
inside and outside, whenever I open the door they make
a rush for freedom! Even when I gently push them back
inside they really stand their ground by squatting down
and then as soon as I remove my hand they make another
rush for the door!

Also, I like to go in my coop in shorts and then hens are
pecking my legs. How can I discourage this behaviour?

Thanks
Kevin

 

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Mine always wanna get out the coop. I mean wouldn't you?? I just use my foot to push them back from the door when I go in & out. As far as the pecking of the legs go

Mine will peck my toes if I'm wearing flip flops but I've never had them peck my legs. Mayabe just try swatting them a little when ever they do that!! First thing I do when I go into mine is throw their chicken crack aka scratch grains and that keeps them occupied while I'm tending to business!!

 

[Kaeta44]

The pecking is simply curiosity - they want to see if you're edible! Mine jump on my lap and peck at my clothes! It's only curiosity.


http://muckycluckers.blogspot.com/

 

[henparty3]

we have had ours only 5 days, and we had the same thing.. pecky, bossy, thuggy chickens, where I was expecting gentle clucking motherly hens.. ours are also squatting, and plumping up the nests, and I read somewhere, that they do get a bit bad-tempered just before they start laying.. so may be hormones, or chicken equivalent, which can only be a good thing if you are looking forward to your first fresh-laid eggs !

 

[ladybug99]

Mine do the same thing.. all bum rush the door.. If I need to get into the pen for something I usually throw something into the pen to distract them, usually a bunch of weeds I have pulled out of the garden on my way to the coop or some bird seed. They go running for it and you can get in with out them getting out. Mine get smart to the same treat so I switch them up most days, they even appreciate a hand ful of feed now and then.

As for pecking you.. they will always peck at discolorations, freckles, cuts bruises scabs... it is just thier nature. They always go after my finger nails, I keep them polished and they find them fasinating.. and they love toes too!

 

[cindy99]

My pop door is right at the front of the run by the real door -- I will throw something like weeds or seeds in the run and then close the door from the outside -- this gives me the whole inside to myself (except for my 3 broody girls and I don't worry about them as they are so busy growling at me that they don't even try to get outside). Also, I have a little temporary type fence that I can step over just to catch them should they get out -- this way they don't get far.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Congrats! Sounds like your girls are settling in nicely. Rushing the door is pretty common. Most people either distract them by throwing a treat into the run just before or just as they open the door or use a feed bucket or similar to physically block their exit and push them back. I only have 7 hens, and rarely do they all rush me at once when I open the door, so I can usually get by with just gently pushing them back with my foot.

The squatting down isn't them "standing their ground," but rather them submitting to you! This is the same behavior that they would do with a rooster, they are squatting to allow him to mate with them. By squatting for you, they are recognizing you as dominant.

As others have said, there's not a lot you can do about the pecking either. Keep moving and shoo them away when they do peck and they may eventually stop once their curiosity is sated. Mine still peck at my legs every now and then, but I've never had them peck me hard and once they realize that darker spot on my leg isn't food they generally wander off again.

 

[Help_battery_hens]

Hi my ex bats are similar. the pecking at your legs is just their way of investigating you. this will calm down (they just havent seen legs before lol) mine pecked at everything even my eye! very painful but now they are familiar with all their surroundings and docile and friendly sitting on my shoulder and preening themselves.
if you throw some sunflower heart seeds into their house when they try to rush out the door it will give you time and room to get in and out and the protein in the seeds is very good for their feather growth. when they squat down i have noticed this is usually due to fear and i always stroke them softly until they relax and then they just walk off without any fear.
hope this helps....

 

[chicmom]

As far as the leg pecking, the best answer I can give is WEAR JEANS!

I have a hen that does this too. She pecks me right on the back of the calf, and man that hurts! I think she does it to get my attention, and it really works.

Mine always run for the door too. I just am really careful to push them back in with my foot......No kicking of course, just blocking them in.

Sounds like everything is going normal for you! Wonderful of you to rescue those ex batts!

You're a hero!

Sharon

 

[kevinhannan]

Wow - and double wow!

Thank you for the wonderful replies and your time to read and reply.
I always thought that the hen community was a good-un and you lot
have proved this beyond all imagination! Thank you again for your
kindness!

BarredBabies: Yes, I guess they would rush the door, I always thought
they would be a little more, well, bird-brained about it!

Kaeta: Thanks - I'm checking out the blog link!

henparty3: eggs? Eggs? EGGS! There's more than I thought! My ten girls
gave me 17 beautiful presents over the last two days - I thought they were
s'posed to be slowing down! lol! There's 3 families on my street on the
breadline (like me) and I'm giving my surplus eggs to them.

Ladybug99: Yeah, except I thought my legs were pretty clear - maybe they
can see something I can't! Pecking doesn't hurt, tho', coz they've been de-beaked.
Right now, it's just me that's nervous!

Cindy99: Thank you *enormously* for your wonderful pic!
I'm going to pinch your idea of a secondary fence - I only wish I had done
that before I pulled my arm out trying to recover an errant hen the other day!
I *do* love the chair! I have only an old crate to sit on - boo hoo!

Aina: your wonderful reply has increased my confidence somewhat. Can you
imagine a 10-hen SWAT team? Well, they're here for hire! I had no idea about
dominance and squatting - I have a lot to learn - but it's all fun and I do love
my little girls!

Help-Battery-Hens: hmm... even when I give them worms - oh boy, do they love
worms! - they will still rush with the poor worms hanging in its beak! I now have
a plan for a secondary screen door and secondary fence which will help things along
I think.

Chicmon: thanks a bunch, hon!

Again, let me say, I never, evcer expected such wonderful replies from so many
great, experienced people! Thank you for welcoming me so and I hope to contribute
as you do.

See you around these parts!

Kind regards
Kevin