westleigh Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Hi All,i have had chickens for 6 odd years now and have not had this problem before ruby my rhode island red keeps pecking my legs when i go in the run to feed them corn in the afternoon,i have had her since october she started it about 2 months ago,as she is a big bird she is doing quite abit of damage to my old granny legs,i may add this is through jeans, now i am begining to wonder if i will be able to go in the run in the summer in a skirt on,has anyone out there got any idea's how i can stop her as its really painfull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 You could always put your hand over her back and force her to 'submit' to you, she'll learn that you are the cockeral and hopefully it will stop. I don't know if someone else sprayed water at the offender, maybe that will work. Hope you find something that does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 legwarmers? shin pads? or those things cricketer's wear? never heard of that problem before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westleigh Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thanks Chelsea but not the sort of advice i was looking for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cordelia Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 my rhode island reds did this too...until they laid..... I can only suggest taking their very favourite treat to ward her off... i used to take a broom to keep mine off me, but they became enraged at the sight of it... LOL...so I just had to run.... now they are in lay they are fine......so far :0 hope things get better...but try some sweetcorn in your hand ready to throw down for her.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Spray water at her when she comes to peck you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I am sorry I dont have any advice but just wanted to say hi as I am from your neck of the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Pick her up and cuddle her for a few days...it may disarm her sufficiently that she will stop. I would take Chelsea's tip and wear something protective on your legs till you have got it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 does it depend on the colour of what you are wearing... someone a while ago said that she would always be attacked when she was wearing a particular colour... i think it was yellow???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*mummy_hen* Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Just be thankful you don't have geese!! My mum and dad had geese and my poor dad couldn't go out in the garden without a broom for defence!! Lol! Good luck getting it sorted!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westleigh Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 I am sorry I dont have any advice but just wanted to say hi as I am from your neck of the woods. Hi cookiemonster,pleased you said hello,we also have a yorkshire terrier so that two things in common Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westleigh Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Thanks to all the great advice,i think i will try the water opt and see how i get on,i dont think she is being really bad just that she cant wait for me to throw the corn,ruby is such a big girl and thats why it hurts so much. fingers crossed with the water treatment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I am sorry I dont have any advice but just wanted to say hi as I am from your neck of the woods. and me!!! One of mine pecks my legs too when she wants corn-impatient little thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westleigh Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Oh wow lots of us chicken people in cambridge then,we live just outside of cambridge having lived in the city for 40 odd years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) I am sorry I dont have any advice but just wanted to say hi as I am from your neck of the woods. Hi cookiemonster,pleased you said hello,we also have a yorkshire terrier so that two things in common that's fantastic!, mine is 8 months old and a terror on two legs If you ever want to meet up for a chat etc or need anything I can help with pm me I am local! Edited February 23, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I agree that she's not doing it out of aggression or badness: if it's only when you're giving her corn etc I reckon it's more likely to be "come on, get a mvoe on, we're down here!" behaviour; she's just over-excited. I would be inclined to go in wearing suitably thick trousers (two pairs?) without any treats occasionally; hopefully she's learned that you=not scary, so if she can now learn that you don't always bring corn then that might calm her down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westleigh Posted February 24, 2009 Author Share Posted February 24, 2009 I agree that she's not doing it out of aggression or badness: if it's only when you're giving her corn etc I reckon it's more likely to be "come on, get a mvoe on, we're down here!" behaviour; she's just over-excited.I would be inclined to go in wearing suitably thick trousers (two pairs?) without any treats occasionally; hopefully she's learned that you=not scary, so if she can now learn that you don't always bring corn then that might calm her down! yes i agree with what you have said i dont think ruby is a bad girl just over excited,she loves to follow me when i am out in the garden,she is so nosey i will just have to hope things settle down with her thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
