Why has my friendly hen started biting me?

[HolyHenHouse]

My friendly hens often peck me just for attention. They are also very curious animals and peck things to see what they are.

 

[Bsmac]

My friendly hens often peck me just for attention. They are also very curious animals and peck things to see what they are.

Some of ours peck me when they want to be picked up!

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot of time people really like it when chickens come running and stand underfoot. They interpret this behavior as the hens like them. But often it is just a response to getting food. It can be pretty exciting, and that is almost a mob mentality. Things can get rough.

A very respected poster on here, recommended not to feed your birds when you come into the set up immediately. Stomp you feet, and demand a circle of space around you. Add fresh water, collect the eggs, and just hang out and watch them. Don't add the food until they have calmed down and gone back to their business.

Then when you add fresh food, the excitement might rise again, but it won't be quite so much. I feed in multiple spots. So they are more interested in that than in me.

And wear thick jeans.

Mrs K

 

[ChickenChick46]

A lot of time people really like it when chickens come running and stand underfoot. They interpret this behavior as the hens like them. But often it is just a response to getting food. It can be pretty exciting, and that is almost a mob mentality. Things can get rough.

A very respected poster on here, recommended not to feed your birds when you come into the set up immediately. Stomp you feet, and demand a circle of space around you. Add fresh water, collect the eggs, and just hang out and watch them. Don't add the food until they have calmed down and gone back to their business.

Then when you add fresh food, the excitement might rise again, but it won't be quite so much. I feed in multiple spots. So they are more interested in that than in me.

And wear thick jeans.

Mrs K

This is great information. I'm already doing these things, except for stomping. But not because I'd been told to, it's just luck, I guess, that that's the routine I got into after I put my birds in the coop. I'm not getting eggs yet because my birds range from like 4 weeks to 9 weeks.

But when I go in the coop, I look around first to make sure nothing looks obviously wrong (odd poop, etc). Then I grab the waterers and refill those. I scrape any droppings off the roosting bars if needed. Filling feeders comes last.

I know my flock is far too young to know what their temperaments will be like as they begin to lay and mature, but so far, I'm having good luck. I think your advice is solid, as always. Thank you.

 

[Beau plus penny]

I'll try that. I like her, but her pecking hurts and I don't like that.

when i get pecked i just poke them their reactions are kind of funny sometimes. in my head im like yea thats what i thought i can peck too

 

[Beau plus penny]

you could also try holding she might just want attention

 

[thecatumbrella]

I had one like this. She was assuming the rooster role and put a hole in my hand. I'm assuming you don't have a cockerel?

A very respected poster on here, recommended not to feed your birds when you come into the set up immediately. Stomp you feet, and demand a circle of space around you. Add fresh water, collect the eggs, and just hang out and watch them. Don't add the food until they have calmed down and gone back to their business.

I am definitely NOT a respected poster, but this also happens to be what I do. Screaming, pecking birds get ignored. Calm birds get rewarded after I've cleaned and tidied up. It also helps if you can save any "exciting" stuff until the end of the day. Same trick works with indoor pets like dogs and cats. Don't feed them the second you wake up; make them wait until you've taken care of yourself first.

And wear thick jeans.

Seconding. Or tall boots.

 

[Nabiki]

I had one like this. She was assuming the rooster role and put a hole in my hand. I'm assuming you don't have a cockerel?


I am definitely NOT a respected poster, but this also happens to be what I do. Screaming, pecking birds get ignored. Calm birds get rewarded after I've cleaned and tidied up. It also helps if you can save any "exciting" stuff until the end of the day. Same trick works with indoor pets like dogs and cats. Don't feed them the second you wake up; make them wait until you've taken care of yourself first.

Seconding. Or tall boots.

You're right, I don't have a cockerel. She still comes up and eyes my hand or legs, so I try not to turn my back on her. She still squats for me, and seems to like being picked up and carried around, though.

I've started swinging my feet backwards when I'm gathering eggs so she can't get close enough for a peck while I'm bent over into the nest box.

 

[Redhds]

How old is she? Maybe she's getting ready to start laying and those hormones are taking over.

Interesting. Is that a thing? A few of mine just starting laying this week. I noticed quite a few are more "pecky" with me and more vocal too. I have eight typically friendly girls, but this extra pecking thing is not fun, especially when visiting without treats. Also learned today that red polished nails and red sweatpants are pecking targets!Can you tell I'm a rookie hen mom?

 

[ChickenChick46]

Interesting. Is that a thing? A few of mine just starting laying this week. I noticed quite a few are more "pecky" with me and more vocal too. I have eight typically friendly girls, but this extra pecking thing is not fun, especially when visiting without treats. Also learned today that red polished nails and red sweatpants are pecking targets!Can you tell I'm a rookie hen mom?

Oh my gosh the red nails, lol. I bet they are after those like crazy!

Yeah, the hormones change close to POL, making them a little nutty, lol. They usually settle once they're laying regularly, though.