raffik Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 A very random, bizarre post, I'm afraid! I love my girls dearly- they are (usually) very well mannered and extremely friendly. However, I have noticed that if I sit down on the bench, they will come up to me and just start pecking me- my legs, arms, fingers etc. I am terrified that they'll try and peck my eyes and face! Belina (gingernut ranger) is ok, but Clarissa (mrs pepperpot) seems to have a much shaper beak and it hurts! Is this normal behaviour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Yes I'm afraid so They are still getting used to what tastes good and what doesn't! If you can put up with it they soon learn you don't taste nice. It helps if you use a dish to feed them treats rather than getting them used to pecking from your hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Mine definitely peck less now than when I first got them, I used to be terrified of them! seems bizarre now I look back. I still don't like my hands being pecked, and you are right to be concerned about eyes, there are a couple of people on here who have had that happen. Avoid wearing rings or shiny watches etc as they are attracted to them. It does seem to get less as they begin to realise that fingers, toes (ouch!) etc aren't actually food sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 Avoid wearing rings or shiny watches etc as they are attracted to them. It does seem to get less as they begin to realise that fingers, toes (ouch!) etc aren't actually food sources. Mine only ever go for my toes when I'm wearing my crocs. You are right about them being attracted to shiny things. If I'm gardening and bend down, they start pecking at the rivets on my jeans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raffik Posted November 13, 2007 Author Share Posted November 13, 2007 (edited) be concerned about eyes, there are a couple of people on here who have had that happen That really scares me! What happened to those people? I hope they didn't lose their sight! When Clarissa sits on my lap, she'll turn and look directly into my eyes. It makes me shudder! Have there been occasions of hens attacking people? I mean, being vicious? I couldn't imagine my two doing that but I guess it can't be unheard of Edited November 13, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 13, 2007 Share Posted November 13, 2007 I haven't heard of anyone actually suffering permanent damage, but I know someone once posted on here about having to go to casualty ... if you think about it, hens don't draw blood when they peck your fingers, but it can be quite painful. That said, I wear glasses most of the time, and I've never yet had one of mine take a peck even though they are shiny. I don't think they would go for it deliberately, it's more likely if it's in their line of vision. I don't let mine get that close to my face! I don't think they are vicious (except to each other!) just greedy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
