MInecraft Zombie Children on Chickens

I have a small chicken farm and I enjoy playing with aggressive mobs. However I sometimes get a zombie child riding on one of my chickens. I end up having to kill the chicken in the process.

Is there a way to kill the zombie child without killing my chicken?

2 Answers

A clever but slightly expensive way to accomplish this is to throw a Splash Potion of Healing at it. The chicken will be healed, but because the baby zombie is undead, he will be injured or killed.

It sounds like your chicken farm isn't lit up bright enough (level 8) to stop spawning. Either that, or there is a break in your walls that is only 1 block tall. Zombie babies can get through those openings without difficulties.

To get the zombie off your chicken simply leave. When the zombie despawns, the chicken won't. Presto - chicken without a rider.