Why did my chicken bite me?

[GoldenCometLady]

I spoil my 12 - almost 10week old Golden comets rotten.
I spend time with them each day talking to them and petting
them. I have noticed them picking at my clothes but that is not
a problem. I usally sit down on the 2x4 roost and about 6 of
them will get up and sit beside me or on my lap while the other
are at my feet usally pecking at my shoes. I was petting one on
my lap yesterday when the one beside me gave me a really good
bite on my arm. I now have blood blister there. I hollered and swung
my arm of course she squaked and jumped down. Was she jealous
or is that just normal behaviour for a chicken. I'd sure hate to
think I have to wear long sleeves in the summer.

 

[canada-goose]

What?

 

[canada-goose]

She might have thought you were a edible.

 

[Olive Hill]

It's the escalation of you letting them peck your clothing. Nip the problems in the bud, they don't escalate. Mistake them for cuteness and fun, you get bit. Live and learn.

 

[sourland]

What Olive Hill said! They are modern day dinosaurs (think velociraptors) you are protein. With chickens familiarization leads to contempt.

 

[NoseyChickens]

They peck, they're chicken's, that's what they do. Mine like to peck my toes if they are polished or my weddign ring, I shoo them away.

 

[SB Austex]

I've got my first chicks, from 2 to 4 weeks old. I know how to discourage puppies from nipping, with sounds, etc. But how do you 'discourage' chickens??? Actually, physically...what exactly do you do?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

 

[Olive Hill]

Quote:
The best way to interact with any animal is in the language that they understand. So, to interact with and reprimand your chickens you should watch and then imitate a good head hen. Any good hen I've seen at the top of a flock does three things when another bird gets out of line. 1) "Verbalize" her disapproval. Usually with a low "rawwwwwwhhhh!" 2) Physically back up that disapproval with a peck or five and 3) Chase the offender off for a few feet, out of the comfort area of her proximity and the proximity of the flock.

So with my chickens I imitate that, if I'm at their level, bent over filling feeders, sitting down, etc. then I will verbally reprimand them with my own version of a "raaaaawwwwhh!" which is usually "AHHHT!", "peck" them on the back with a stiff index finger and chase them out of my proximity for a couple of feet. When you peck them they naturally move off to get away so the chasing is very minimal. The only difference if I'm not at their level, such as if I am standing or walking upright or have something in my hands, is that I don't find I'm able to peck them quickly enough to have it be an effective reprimand so I shoo them away with my foot instead, still using the same verbal reprimand. All in all it's a momentary exchange, but used from day one it works as they learn to respect you early.

 

[SB Austex]

Perfect explanation, Olive Hill. This is exactly what I was looking for! Since I don't have any mama hens to imitate, I wasn't sure.