What are they trying to do??? Eat me???

[blueberrychickens]

 

[gryeyes]

My "don't do that" instruction for chickens is to use one of my forefingers to "peck" at their heads. Just a quick tap. (And, out of habit with having dogs forever, I do say "No!" at the same time.) No whole hand & arm movement, if you can avoid it. Just a quick tap like you're pecking them, as any other senior chicken would do.

They are curious animals. Much of their pecking is to check things out, not necessarily to eat it. After all, they don't have hands with which to touch things, pick them up, etc. I think the button pecking and pulling is curiosity, as well as tugging on rings and bracelets or other jewelry. But freckles on your skin could be tasty bugs, lint on your clothing might be a bit of leftover feed.

 

[noodleroo]

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Mine too!

 

[EELover]

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I very much agree with this. Flick at them every time they peck to show that its not ok. Just like with dogs, you have to show them that you are the head chicken not them. You are the leader of the flock and they shouldn't forget it. If you don't let them know now they will take advantage of you and might end up being bloody.

 

[Darlasmum]

I also agree w/ gryeyes. When mine were young I didnt want to discourage their interest in me. Some pecks were a bit harsh- esp around the ankles...but never had any blood drawn. Now at a year old they have grown out of it and only occas check out my freckles. I sortof miss it.

 

[CorporateGranola]

Mine will occasionally take "curiosity" pecks, but they don't seem to be "dominance" pecks as I see them do each other. Interestingly, they do seem very interested in my fingernails occasionally (I'm a dude, therefore no paint).

I really like the idea of "pecking back" with your finger tip. I'm always very careful about my tone of voice around them - I want them to associate my presence with calm and fun, not scared and angry.

 

[columbiacritter]

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LOL! I've told mine the same thing. I told him I'd run him thru the chipper and there wouldn't even be chunky bits to find. Nothing but lots of hens laying around digesting. Need to suggest that for a CSI episode.