Chickens have sharp beaks and bit my 4 year old son

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ArmyWife

ArmyWife

In the Brooder
7 Years
Apr 13, 2012
32
0
22
My chickens are super friendly and we hand feed them everyday. We hold them and pet them... We are always careful to wash hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap and time it on the stove. Tonight, my 4 year old puckered up and stuck his lips through the whole in the chicken wire. One of my chicks pecked him on the lip and his lip bled. How in the world do I clean that???? On the mouth and I wouldn't normally use any alcohol on or in his mouth???? Should I be trimming their beaks? They are really sharp! sometimes it hurts when they eat out of my hand.
 
kidcody

kidcody

Crowing
11 Years
Nov 1, 2010
7,239
529
396
No need to trim there beaks! Yes, there beaks are very sharp. I have one hen who likes to come up behind you and pecks at your legs. She is not being mean just curious. There beak is there hand. Hope your little boy isn't afraid of them now.
 
chickmashnoon

chickmashnoon

Songster
8 Years
Jun 3, 2011
449
25
129
Champaign County, Illinois
rinse his mouth with hydrogen peroxide or a bit of mouthwash. mouthwash will burn more, but either one will kill bacteria.

putting his mouth on the chickenwire is baaaad! on the bright side, doesn't sound like he will be doing that again.
 
cafarmgirl

cafarmgirl

Crowing
10 Years
Mar 24, 2009
5,521
623
327
California, central valley
For your little boy, soap and water, maybe some Neosporin. For the chickens, no beak trimming, natural to peck at things they want to investigate, especially if they associate him/you with treats.
 
Achickenwrangler#1

Achickenwrangler#1

Songster
8 Years
Aug 7, 2011
2,431
122
183
west virginia
just rinse the lip well with water, you shouldn't use hydrogen peroxide on a wound, it kills bacteria, yes, but it also kills healthy cells by damaging the cell wall. Minor facial scratches on a child that age will heal in 3 to 5 days, mouth even faster. Sorry to hear his chicken bit him, poor guy, but also, now don,t let them get near the eye either, another fascination for chickens.
 
jtbrown

jtbrown

Songster
8 Years
Mar 30, 2011
1,795
25
179
Southeastern Ohio
My then 5 year old held a chick last year and the silly thing pecked him in the eye :rolleyes: we had told him not to hold them close to his eyes so many times.

Well, he learned and thank god, no serious injury just a blood shot eye for a few days and quite a few tears.

However, little man is the first one to pass along the info to our guests that come out to the chicken coop. It is not ok to let the chicks get close to your face.

How is your little one doing?
 
ArmyWife

ArmyWife

In the Brooder
7 Years
Apr 13, 2012
32
0
22
thank u all for the replies! He is doing well now. Doesn't seem to be infected. He is not afraid of them at all, wants to go see his "baby chicks" all day!!! I sure hope he has learned not to do that ever again. They sure are curious birds!!! When i go in the yard, it's hard to walk because they all stay under or on my feet :)
Just one more question...
One of my chickens looks like it will be a rooster. has a terrible cross bite, seems to eat fine from seeds, but can't get meal worms from my hand. Is it ok to leave the beak like this?
 

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