Getting pecked for food.

[Jimster]

One of my hens has got into the habbit of pecking you in order to get your attention for you to give her some corn. All 4 of my chickens follow me around the garden expecting food, but I often get a peck on the back of my legs by the same one each time. Any ideas how I can stop this??

Should I maybe stop giving them corn by hand, and just mix it in with their layers pellets??

[Suechooks]

Just chuck a little bit of corn on the ground as a scratch feed occasionally. Only give it late in the day as it only makes them fat and has no real nutritional value. The layers pellets are all they really need plus some greens of some sort.
In the hot weather too much corn can make them ill as it causes overheating.
You're spoiling them!!!!!

[Jimster]

ok I will stop, it's hard to say no to the little buggers!

[MaureenHall]

Pick her up and give her a cuddle she'll either continue to try and get your attention, or she'll stop because she doesn't want to be picked up. Just throw a handful of corn on the ground for them so they can scratch around for it. I must admit though, it is lovely to have them eating out of your hand, and it gives you a chance to see them all close up and notice quickly if there's any problems with any of them.

[Hilary B]

Do you 'obey' when she demands food? That is what you need to stop doing! If she has discovered that pecking you gets results, she will keep doing it (chooks aren't stupid, just a bit limited). Respond in a way she won't be pleased about (such as picking her up, and maybe feeding the others in a way that stops her getting any), and she will get the message. It may take longer to teach her NOT to do this than it took to (accidentally) teach her to peck you. Most persistent unwanted behaviour is learned. It is all too easy to teach lessons you didn't mean to anything from a chook to a clever dog.....

[HayleyB]

Wear wellies......

You should try 32 hens all getting jealous of each other

[Two_Sheds]

Do you 'obey' when she demands food? That is what you need to stop doing! If she has discovered that pecking you gets results, she will keep doing it

I totally agree.
You should either ignore the unwanted behaviour, or do some negative reinforcement (different from punishment).

My parrot bites - ignoring it is no good because his beak does real damage. A small squirt from a water pistol is enough to remind him "don't bite" - it doesn't hurt, but he doesn't like it.

[Qwerty]

One of my ducks has a bit of a go at my fingers when I put them to bed, and i tap him firmly yet lightly on the beak and say "no". it does not harm him in any way, it's just a bit unpleasant for him. Just a bit. It sometimes works. Dunno if it will work on chooks though, never tried it...

[Hans Mum]

i made them mistake of going out to the girls in flip flops yesterday (its been very summery here) and they obviously thought my toes were big fat worms....picture me trying to get back to the house with 8 chickens pecking at my feet

[sheena]

I went and sat and eventually laid (in a clean spot) with the girl's whilst they were sunning themselves.
But I got one really cheeky girl, who took a swipe at my ring. I dunno if it was cos the sun was catching it and making her think it was something really really tasty or what?
She made me jump almost out my skin... then cos I was wearing my low shoes, there is a little taggy bit inside where you get them tied together in the shop. Well.. cos it was slightly exposed when I on the floor she would try and get beneath my foot to the tag.
Now I don't mind that, but would prefer my foot not to be in it at the time! lol

[MaureenHall]

Ahhhh the joys of chicken keeping Make sure you don't have red-painted toenails when you're in there wearing flip-flops - mine always try and eat them!

[HayleyB]

ouch ouch ouch *imagining going into yard with flipflops on