pecking

[LJM20]

One of my 23 week old hens gives me a quick peck on my feet or legs when I'm in the run with them. She doesn't seem aggressive and lets me pet her. I don't like the pecking, is there something I can do?

 

[chickenlittle21]

My polish hen used to peck and scratch at my feet looking for treats, maybe that's what your hen is doing.

 

[aart]

Peck her back.

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.