What the Peck do I do?

[meglynnie]

Good morning flock!

I'm a little embarrassed by asking this question ! LOL

Are we able to discipline chicks/chickens? If so how do we?

I'm used to being able to discipline my horses and dogs but not sure how to proceed with chicks/chickens!

My runt that I call Peggy Sue, I adore however shes a bit of a pecker, the only one out of my chicks that charges my hand and pecks and even 'bites'. She's my favorite because she's so tiny but the bravest of them all and a feisty little girl. But with this being my first time having chicks I'm worried this behavior is going to escalade with her?

 

[aart]

Your thread title gave me a chuckle, love word play.

Not quite like horses and dogs, tho I've never had horses but have heard that you have to make sure they respect and stay out of your space.

Basically, think like a chicken and 'peck' her back...and good to nip it in the bud asap.
How old is this bird?
Sure she's a she and not a he?


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.

 

[meglynnie]

Your thread title gave me a chuckle, love word play.

Not quite like horses and dogs, tho I've never had horses but have heard that you have to make sure they respect and stay out of your space.

Basically, think like a chicken and 'peck' her back...and good to nip it in the bud asap.
How old is this bird?
Sure she's a she and not a he?


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.

Thank you! This is great information! Will definitely try this! The chick is about 3 weeks old, and suppose to be pullet but still unsure!

 

[aart]

Thank you! This is great information! Will definitely try this! The chick is about 3 weeks old, and suppose to be pullet but still unsure!

Post pics on a week or two, should be able to tell by then.

 

[meglynnie]

Post pics on a week or two, should be able to tell by then.

So I think Peggy Sue is a roo, I posted her/he in the breed/gender board.