[cknfan]

This is our third time raising chickens and have never had this problem before. My hens, (4 barred rocks and 4 buff orpington's) seem to be aggressive towards me.  They are 4 months old.  We got them at 1 week old and fed them in a small cage with light, etc. and now have them in a coop/with space to roam a bit.  Early on I handled them on occassion but not everyday.  Currently, when I let them out in the morning the first two come running over to my hand to try to peck me.  They haven't actually succeeded in pecking me, but it unnerves me.  If I visit them during the day they also come over to me to try to peck my legs.  Any help out there with this?

[bantam novice]

Hello Cknfan and welcome to the forum 
We're a friendly bunch here and you will find loads of expert advice.  I am not an expert but I am sure someone more experienced than me will be along to advise you.  In the meantime good luck and keep us posted.  By the way we love photos on this forum if you can post some of your hens

[ANHBUC]

Try using your hand as a pretend beak and make pecking motions towards them.  You need to be the top of the pecking order.  

Welcome to the site and I hope this works for you.  I did it to one of my hens who liked pecking me and it worked for me.

[OpiumEater]

You could always put some corn in your hand and let them peck at that, bit odd at first, but though not gently, my girls have never drawn blood 

[cknfan]

Hurray!  I went out and used my hand as a beak as suggested.  I felt a little dorky, but... the next morning when I let them out no one charged over to me. And again the next 2 mornings! It is amazing.  Thank you so much for great advice!   

[bantam novice]

Great news 

[timtheenchanteruk]

how interesting, might try this with one of mine, shes clearly the top of the order amongst the hens, but she keeps having a peck at my feet, never thought it might be an "order" thing.

[ANHBUC]

Hurray!  I went out and used my hand as a beak as suggested.  I felt a little dorky, but... the next morning when I let them out no one charged over to me. And again the next 2 mornings! It is amazing.  Thank you so much for great advice!   

You're welcome.  Had to do similar thing with our cat when we first got her she was really wild.  Used to get have to get down on all fours and hiss at her when she misbehaved and it worked a treat.   :blink:  Just have to speak their language I suppose.  It does feel a bit mad but the results are worth it.   

[Helenaj]

Any suggestions as to what would work with a mental Jack Russell? He's eaten my second mobile phone today and after you give him a row he sits in the corner, turns his back and pointedly ignores you. I end up feeling guilty for HIM giving ME the silent treatment!

[jinty1911]

Just don't let them boss you about or be scared of them.  If you can gently push them down as a rooster would do, they will soon get the message that you are boss. 

[jinty1911]

Just don't let them boss you about or be scared of them.  If you can gently push them down as a rooster would do, they will soon get the message that you are boss. 

Think with dogs being destructive, you have to catch them at it and give them something else to entertain them, or in a JR case, keep your phone up high were he can't get it.  On top of the freezer? 

[ANHBUC]

Any suggestions as to what would work with a mental Jack Russell? He's eaten my second mobile phone today and after you give him a row he sits in the corner, turns his back and pointedly ignores you. I end up feeling guilty for HIM giving ME the silent treatment!

You could try downloading some sounds that dogs hate onto your new phone, like the ones anti bark collars emit.  If you play it to your Jack Russell repeatedly it should put him/her off destroying your new mobile.  Found this one online, don't know if it works but would be worth a try.  http://soundbible.com/1125-High-Pitch-Dog-Whistle.html 

Good luck 

[Lindeggs]

I also had to "peck" one of my chickens for a while because she used to peck the back of my hand while I was digging in the garden.  The other five were just grateful that I was digging up worms for them but spoiled little Minnie-Rose would get grumpy if I didn't find the bugs fast enough and would peck me! 

So I used my forefinger like a beak and "pecked" at her head.  I only made contact a couple of times (chickens are fast little beasties!) but that's all she needed.  She would duck her head and run away, just like she would do if a more dominant hen pecked her.  It soon broke her of the habit. 

Also, to my relief, she used to forgive me straight away after I had "pecked" at her.  I though it might scare her off and set back our relationship, but it didn't seem to matter.