How do I stop them from pecking me?

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Ch1ckens4l1fe

Hatching
Oct 5, 2017
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In the recent times I have checked on my chickens, my three six month old chicks peck me constantly. The last time they did, they broke the skin on my arm and I started to bleed. How do I get then to stop pecking me?
 
S

Stephine

Crowing
6 Years
May 30, 2016
1,070
819
279
Sonoma
Do they peck at spots (freckles) or do they peck you aggressively? Chickens are pretty singleminded and will peck at anything that could be food or is red (freckles, sores, your painted toenails) to see if it is edible. Just put on boots and cover up - if you don’t they’ll learn eventually that you don’t have treats stuck on you and stop, though.
If they peck you aggressively instead, you need to peck them back. On the head with a pointy finger if you can aim that well, or on their shoulders if you can’t. Don’t be to delicate, you want them to squawk and run off. They will learn to respect you. I had to do that with a few of mine as teenagers - they never bothered me again...
 
Folly's place

Folly's place

Enabler
10 Years
Sep 13, 2011
25,014
45,051
1,176
southern Michigan
You could also use a stick as an arm extension, or the feed bucket, or something, to 'accidently' bump them when they try to get in your space. Don't wait for a peck or bite! Mary
 
N F C

N F C

Moderator
BYC Staff
Premium Feather Member
8 Years
Dec 12, 2013
108,057
507,807
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Florida
I used to have a red sex link that was a real ankle pecker. The day she broke the skin, I grabbed her up and held her until she quit squirming. After repeating that a few times (picking her up when she pecked), she quit pecking and became my biggest lap chicken.
 
Patinas

Patinas

Songster
Mar 22, 2017
456
501
157
Washington
Mine have only pecked at me if they get close to my hands because they are expecting food. I had one that pecked really hard at a mole on my forearm. Didn't break the skin but sure hurt!!

I do think there is a big difference between pecking out of curiosity vs. pecking due to aggression/dominance. I've watched my flock and clearly seen them peck at each other because maybe something is stuck on a bird, like grass hanging from their beak, and then I've seen them peck purposely to put another bird in it's place.
 
aart

aart

Chicken Juggler!
Premium Feather Member
9 Years
Nov 27, 2012
104,246
156,408
1,867
SW Michigan
My Coop
My Coop
You need to nip this in the bud...literally.

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.
 

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