chicks trying to peck children's eyes..help!

[Ja9]

We got 3 Warrens 4 weeks ago (Jackie, Fizzer and Mary Poppins) and they were proving to be wonderful pets for my 3 children..with the odd bit of pecking.
Unfortunately this is becoming more frequent and they are now going for the children's eyes. Any advice on stopping this please without preventing the children from gently playing with them?

[Hilary B]

Age of children, and just how are they 'playing with' the chickens? I would simply avoid the children being where the chooks can easily reach to peck eyes, but without a bit more info as to exactly what is happening, or the circumstances.....

[janeyo]

I have never heard of this! My children are almost 7 and almost 4 and have never had their eyes pecked?!?

I would suggest not letting them play with the chickens as their eyes are mighty precious!

[Glutton4...]

Chickens will peck eyes - they are shiny! Adults have been pecked in the eye by Chickens, when holding them, or when bending down. Small children should not be put at risk like this - Animals are not playthings.

[VirginVegGrower]

I had my foot pecked today as I spilt garlic porridge on it!
Seriously when mixing animals and children it's the children you have to educate as hens don't speak English. Suggest you do the holding!

[RichmondHens]

Chickens will peck at anything that looks interesting, shiny and moving, eyes included. As others have said, they are not toys so supervised holding/cuddling only should be allowed, with the hen held well away from the face. Some hens look so cuddly (Orps and Pekins for example) that there is a strong desire to kiss and snuggle into them as if they were a cat or rabbit, but the hen will always be on the lookout for a quick snack, and eyes/teeth/tongues all look interesting to them. Also, if they are fed treats by hand, some hens can become very pecky. With small children it might be better to encourage them to feed on the ground by their feet. They can still stroke them while they are feeding but it does reduce the risk of little fingers getting nipped.

[Ja9]

Thank you. The children are 8 (twins) and 5 years old. Certainly the twins are sensible and hold them correctly . The chickens have pecked my daughters glasses when she is holding them, and generally like any buttons ,laces, toggles on trousers,bare legs etc. I tend to go into their run with wellies on..wouldn't risk sandles and painted toenails as this would be far too interesting!
We will have to get a rabbit and admire the chickens more from afar!!

[janeyo]

Gosh I have naver had any problems with ours going for faces - this is something I am going to be much more vigilant of. They do rather like my flowery wellies and some jewelled flipflops I have. One pecked the zip on my jeans pocket once.

I am glad this was brought up - it hadn't even crossed my mind they went for eyes and we have had ours 3 1/2 years! I guess my little one is not much taller than a stretched up chicken either...

[di]

Kirsty posted about this last year...as others have said,they'll peck at what looks interesting to them...don't mistake it for them being mean,just natural instinct.
My two often go in the chicken run and handle them but they have been taught to hold them facing away from them for that very reason....and no kisses!

[chris]

My chickens tried to do the same with my daughter - so now I just monitor them and don't let them get near her if i'm not close..

You can tell when they're on the lookout, as RH says - whenever Is ee those signs, I shoo them away.

Mind you, my daughter now tells them off if they peck her toes

"NO! NORTIE GICKEN" Finger pointed (as per my avatar )

[VirginVegGrower]

Children and animals/birds as pets will always need a degree of education and parental supervision thrown into the mix. I have had dogs throughout my two growing up (kids now 12 and 14) but I still tell them what to do with dogs and hens and when to stop smothering. Children can't help but mother, especially little girls. Keep reinforcing the message. I think the advice to ground feed at your feet and then stroke their backs is particularly good advice.

[grenhouse]

I've had chucks go for my eyes before, like everyone says they are shiny and move and they can possibly see a reflection. Keep the chucks on the floor first and let them stroke them there, then as they pick the hens up more comfortably (facing away) they can get a little more cuddly! Any animal though can inflict harm, mostly through interest more than intent. I have a house rabbit that bites your feet if you don't stroke her just for the attention!

[polo]

My white leghorn goes for my teeth if I smile while holding her :-) Definately feed on the floor with the smaller ones

Polo

[VirginVegGrower]

My white leghorn goes for my teeth if I smile while holding her :-) Definately feed on the floor with the smaller ones

Polo

You must have lovely shiny teefs ;-)

[motherhen]

I have kept hens for over 32 years and have only been pecked, once but that was because the bird in question was rather aggresive and I wanted to tame it a bit so I was advised to hold it rather like the show people would to get it used to being held and I wasn't really concentrating and I had lipstick on and it pecked at my lip and wouldn't let go!! but that was totally my fault, imagine what a tasty worm that must have looked like.
There are some good posts on here especially from RH as usual ( the voice of experience ). We have many first time keepers here that ask "can my children pick them up to cuddle them" I usually answer no buy a kitten! as politely as I can, chickens are a lovely pet but it is a brilliant opportunity to teach children how to be a responsible pet owner, and deffinetly no kisses!