Cube mk2 and WIR

[nikplus]

Are our chucks getting bored? Every time we put our fingers near the edge of our Cube, they peck them, particularly when we're opening or closing the door. They only started at the weekend, but now it's every time we put our fingers anywhere near the fencing.

 

We've given them a roost by sliding a long piece of wood through from one side to the other, and hung up a CD, which we were advised would keep them entertained, but they seem to ignore that entirely.

 

They're 20 weeks old, and haven't started laying yet. We're only keeping three of them in our cube, so they're not cramped at all.

 

Does anyone know what could be up with them, and whether it is just boredom?

[Egluntyne]

More likely curiosity I would say.

[Hen Watch]

Hi. How long have you had them?

 

If they are newish it might be curiosity as Egluntine says.

 

When my girls arrived they pecked my fingers every time I opened the run door for about a month. In fact in that first while, they pecked everything to test if it was food, my jeans, stitching in shoes, painted toenails etc. etc.

 

Then they just stopped. They never peck me now unless I wear a particular skirt with beads sewn on it and they like to have a peck at them.

[Olly]

Mine pecked when I first had them, but these days it hardly every happens, I think it's a combination of curiousity and youth. Once they start laying and become middle-aged matrons, they are less likely to do it. It used to scare me, because it is quite painful! They don't bother at all now.

[The Dogmother]

It's also partly habit/training; I had some hens spending their holidays with me recently and their owners complained that they always pecked their fingers when they were undoing the run door. The girls did it to me too, so I kept a water spray on top of the run and sprayed them with it whenever they pecked me. The naughty habit didn't last for long!