Strange behavior - jealousy or protectiveness?

[fargosmom]

We've got two BR's, and two EE's. One of each is ok with being held . . . anyway today I was holding the EE and the BR came up and repeatedly pecked at me - wouldn't leave me alone and was targeting skin! Was she jealous that she wasn't being held, or was she trying to protect the one I was holding? Or am I trying too hard to give motives to chickens?

Usually all four peck at me at random, but generally they quit when they determine that I don't taste good, and they usually go for my jeans or shoes. I really hope she doesn't keep this up - I really like cuddling my girls.

 

[ams3651]

is the chicken your holding lower on the pecking order? Or does she consider you lower? I dont know, just an idea.

 

[Year of the Rooster]

I'm thinking she wanted to be held.. Either that or she found a nice looking mole on you that looked tasty

 

[007Dawn]

Sounds like jealousy to me. If I hold one they all must be held. If I give one a treat they all must have that treat. And on occassion I get pecked for it.

What is really fun is my cat is getting into it. If I stand near the chickens he sits on my foot with his tail wrapped around my ankle...then my seven year old wants my attention. I guess I'm loved.

 

[fargosmom]

Well I guess that's a relief. I think the one that's doing the pecking is higher in the order than the one being held (the two BR's rule the coop, and of the two EE's I'm not sure which one is ranked higher). The one I'm holding when the other one is pecking is, unfortunately, my favorite. Too bad I can't hold both of them at once!

 

[foweler]

When I get pecked (very rare so far) I peck back. I am the boss here after all