stellabystarlight Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Hiya Im fairly new to all this just had our hens for over a week, yesterday when I was out in the garden digging I noticed that all three of my hens were "wagging" there tail feathers. Does anyone know what this means? Stella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Mine do this too . I've always assumed it's just part of the feather shaking routine they do (like after a dustbath). Mine often come out of the run and fluff themselves all up and shake themselves all over like a dog . Probably helps with keeping feathers clean. I may be wrong though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazzarina Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 One of mine does this too when she's out and about in the garden - it's really sweet! I think it's a sign of general chickeny contentment, or perhaps bossiness (she's top hen) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 At least two of mine wag their tails and they always seem happy when they're doing it. I think it's really sweet too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 They are Ray Charles fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 my new girl Flo is a real tag wagger, she's great! she does it after a good dustbath or route through her newspaper shreddings.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 And I love the way their tails move in the opposite direction to the way they are going - sort of using them to keep balance.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillicat Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 I think its a sign of assertiveness........and a bit of Blues Brothers thrown in......my favourite film! Even named my cats Jake and Elwood as they were brothers and had blue eyes. Seriously, tail wagging for dogs is contentment or excitedness and my chooks wag their tails as a sign of confidence and authority! Mind you thats after a thorough checking there are no icky creatures lurking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 And I love the way their tails move in the opposite direction to the way they are going - sort of using them to keep balance.... Like a rudder Both of mine wag, I think it shows general wellbeing and a sense of freedom, a bit like when a dog or cat has a stretch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellabystarlight Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Thanks for all the replies I like the idea that they are happy and contented how ever I also woneder if there is something in what Chillicat says as a day after they were all roaming around the garden tail wagging a bit of a hen pecking war thing broke out not seen any tail wagging in the last couple of days Will they sort out there own "pecking order" so to speak? Matilda has a bit of a bare bottom, where olivia is pecking at her but Amber has started to step in and jump ontop of Olivia is she shes this happening. Its all very stressfull!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 i think its contentment too....my Ella does it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mel1234 Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 yeah julie and ottilie do it.... they also hop on one foot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
