WHY do my pullets peck me?

[chooniecat]

I have 4 6 month old pullets(in addition to 6 hens) and 2 of the young girls peck my shoes, pants, shirt(yes-they jump at my shirt) and although I find them amusing if I were to have a kid over it probably would not be appreciated. they peck my son also. the older girls don't do this so its new to me. any thoughts? the 2 that do it are a speckled sussex and a golden lace wyandotte.

 

[gvntofly05]

My entire coop will peck me if I stand still long enough! Chickens are very curious and pigs and peck at everything to see if they can eat it!!

 

[kipper]

We had a real problem with our Welsummers doing this. I think they are just curious little devils.

I notice I get pecked more if I am wearing anything other than jeans, dark jacket, and brown boots. This is what DH wears and he is in charge of most of the chicken duties since I work long days. When I go in the pen wearing girly stuff like crocs (ouch!), yellow rain boots, pink flowered PJ pants, etc, I get pecked. And I look silly, but I don't care!

You might assess what you are wearing and see if it is different from the non-pecked family memebers. Good luck!

 

[Uzuri]

Because you taste good. Duh!

Actually, I noticed my younger ones got more "mouthy" right at the point of lay. I don't know if they were PMSing or what, but it happened with pretty much all of them, even though their first eggs were spread over a period of three months. Now they've tailed off a bit, and only peck to check out something new, or a speck or something that looks like food.

 

[chooniecat]

well then I must have been lucky the last 7 years of chickendom because this is a first that they actually attack my clothing. haven't worn shorts/tank top out yet but there may be trouble. its definitly not mean behaviour but can be painful if you're a little person probably. in the past my chickens don't want anything to do with visitors but just in case....will have to make sure these 2 are restrained.

 

[fiberart57]

My NHR, Copper, flies up and pecks me whenever I open the scratch and seed bin. I think she's just anxious about being in the front of the line for the treats. She's pretty insistent about her attention. But I don't feel threatened or anything.

Mary

 

[FrizzlesRule]

I call them love pecks or attention getters. MUGGSY gives me both.