Turning into a Chicken Behaviorist 😁

[ssferret]

I have twelve 13 week old Light Brahmas I love to death. I can spend hours watching them interact. Before I knew it I had them all named. It's hard not to when each one is so different.

Last week my cockerel, Colonel, started being agressive towards me. He never did like to cuddle but now he became very nippy to the point that it hurt.

I couldn't accept that one of my little ones didn't like me, cockerel or no, so I started imitating what I call a beak smack since it seems to have the same meaning as a lip smack for monkeys, submission or solicitation. That started 3 days ago. Today, he couldn't seem to get enough of me, sitting on my lap as I stroked him. He even started doing beak smacks towards me. I never really thought it would work so well. I just wanted him to stop being so skittish and relax around me.

I just had to share this with you guys. I'm in heaven. I don't know if this would work as well with any of the others but Colonel's attitude towards me is night and day.

 

[TheMother]

Lol if my cockeral gets nippy with me, I'll know what to try.
It's quite silly how much time can pass while one sits watching the chickens...

 

[aart]

I call a beak smack since it seems to have the same meaning as a lip smack for monkeys, submission

Actually that how chickens communicate, they peck at each other.
Not sure it will work long term with a male, but maybe.
It definitely works with nippy pullets or hens.

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.

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

Actually that how chickens communicate, they peck at each other.

 

[ssferret]

Actually that how chickens communicate, they peck at each other.

(Disclaimer: I have a very sarcastic sense of humor. Nothing I say is ever meant to be flippant or an attack. I don't always realize what things may sound like to others and have had misunderstandings in the past. Now I just try to warn people in advance)

I knew I should have used a better term than "beak smack." I used to be a primate behaviorist and one behavior was known as "lip smack." They'll use it for submitting or a greeting. No touching is involved. The chickens seem to use a similar method with their beaks for what I believe nearly could have the same meaning. So to continue my role in life of confusing everyone I come in contact with, I decided to coin the phrase "beak smack." Me and my ridiculous ideas. I know. How about calling it "beak click/clicking" for the sound it makes, at least until I find out what it's really called. In fact I go ahead and click my teeth to imitate that sound to the chickens.

If I misunderstood and you did understand what I meant just ignore the above and pretend I know what I'm saying.

As far the pecking order is concerned, I already knew about all that even before I got chickens. (I always wanted to know how animals communicate with each other so I did a lot of reading.) And even if I didn't know, my ragtag flock of chickens our being nice enough giving me examples. (They're finally calming down though.) But I can understand why you thought I didn't know. I probably would have thought the same thing.

Thank you for letting me know another way of dealing with more agressive chickens. I have a pullet named Nippy, for obvious reasons, that it could work on. What I do with Colonel doesn't work on her. I would simply shove her away, not too hard but enough to know that nipping is a big no. I guess I'm afraid I might be a little too rough but sometimes a mother does need to be more firm with her children. It's just so much easier with human children where you can take away computers and smartphones.

 

[CreveChris]

Thanks for the idea! Going to try with Michele Cockerel.

I handle my chickens a lot. They are individually transported from brooder to tractor and back each day and they are sweet and gentle.

Until Michele's comb started turning red. Now he is not fond of being picked up and pinches me on the arm if I put my hand under him. The others hop into my hand ready for transport.

So my work-around is wheeling him, inside the tractor, into the garage, opening the door, and waiting for him to walk to the brooder where he waits to be lifted with two hands from behind and placed inside with his flock.

These are April chicks, so fairly young, but I'm already thinking I can't risk breeding naughty Michele. Nuts. Ah, well, his brothers are gorgeous with better combs and almost his substantial girth.

I'd like to try something besides the "scary" calfskin gloves and avoidance to handle Michele.

Here is Jean Cockerel, who is delightful:

 

[centrarchid]

Could a video be posted with the "beak smack"?

 

[esme13]

a beak smack is more like a tap from us humans. I do it to teach them not to peck me. It has always worked and they keep coming back to me with a better approach (kinder)

 

[centrarchid]

a beak smack is more like a tap from us humans. I do it to teach them not to peck me. It has always worked and they keep coming back to me with a better approach (kinder)

Are you @ssferret?

 

[ssferret]

a beak smack is more like a tap from us humans. I do it to teach them not to peck me. It has always worked and they keep coming back to me with a better approach (kinder)

Thanks. I should have known that. I know I'm still very much a chicken novice and definitely appreciate those who know better. I was using "smack" with the less common definition of "kiss." No more making up things for me.