Why The Eyes???

[Chickenhappy8708]

Ok, my chickens seem to like my eyes. I know they like shiny things, but lately when I lean down to get stuff done, (feeding watering, lapsitting, ECT...) And my Black sex-link has been pecking them lately, I blinked both times, resulting in 2 cuts on my eyelids. Anything I can do to prevent this, or do I just have to keep her away from my face? I'm not one of those people who wants chickens near my face or kisses them and what not, no forcing them on my lap, so I'd like it if they didn't peck my face when I am in there. Thanks.

 

[chickenlittle21]

Ok, my chickens seem to like my eyes. I know they like shiny things, but lately when I lean down to get stuff done, (feeding watering, lapsitting, ECT...) And my Black sex-link has been pecking them lately, I blinked both times, resulting in 2 cuts on my eyelids. Anything I can do to prevent this, or do I just have to keep her away from my face? I'm not one of those people who wants chickens near my face or kisses them and what not, no forcing them on my lap, so I'd like it if they didn't peck my face when I am in there. Thanks.

Wear sunglasses into the coop

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

Good idea, will do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Definitely do your best to keep them away from your face. Maybe wear sunglasses... I wear glasses and they work pretty well at keeping things from pecking/licking/chewing on your eye.

 

[aart]

or do I just have to keep her away from my face?

Uh, Yes!!

Plus peck them back.
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.

 

[Meggers]

I agree with aart. When my chicks first went into their coop and run, I started some training. For instance whenever I call, they come and get treats. But, I also taught them not to peck me. Whenever they would peck me I would tap their chest with my pointer finger. If they did it again they got a harder poke and if they continued or pecked extremely hard, they were continuously poked in the head until they were out of my reach. Now, about 10 weeks later, I don’t remember the last time I was pecked (more than when they noticed my new nail polish)