Isabel Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 ... what does it mean? Somewhere, in the last few days, I have heard or read that this has some significance - maybe it was on the Private Lives of Chickens last week? I think it meant that the chicken rubbing her head was deferring to another chicken but I can't remember so if anyone knows can they please fill me in! We were moving the chicken house & elec fencing tonight and the Pekins were loose with the big girls whilst we took their pen apart - I was standing beside them. They were feeding and when Delia came in, Blackie stood back and rubbed her beak/head on the ground ... so are relations improving? They weren't too bad together - a little chasing by Delia and, to a lesser extent, Rachel - Nigella will happily wander around them and doesn't bother much with them but D liked to give them the 'keep off my territory' warning every now and again. Their own pen is back up and ready for them in the morning! Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sezra Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 ... what does it mean? Somewhere, in the last few days, I have heard or read that this has some significance - maybe it was on the Private Lives of Chickens last week? I think it meant that the chicken rubbing her head was deferring to another chicken but I can't remember so if anyone knows can they please fill me in!Isabel I have been trying to remember what this means! I think it was on Private life of chickens but I have also forgotton. I have seen mine do it quite often. Is it called Beak wiping?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Mad Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I thought it was just to clean their beaks. Mine always do it when they have scummy beaks and then they pick up off the ground what came off. Though Mabel prefers to wipe it my clean trousers when she's got the chance! Also I did enjoy the Private life of Chickens, it just confirmed what an odd bunch I have. No top choock in my lot, no agression towards other birds (infact they cluck-cluck on small birds as if they were their chicks) and when they fine something tasty they cluck-cluck for each other to share! Well I have 3 "goody-goody two shoes", that song was just on the radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Okay, so not as exciting an action as I thought - or hoped for! LOL at your three Chickenmad - they are good mates, aren't they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertrum Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 If I recall correctly, it is one of the signals to show that good food has been found. In fact, I'm beginning to think that every signal a hen makes is to do with food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 I assume it applies to chickens but I've heard it can be the result of a few things with other birds... A) Cleaning it's beak of something sticky (e.g. after eating fruit) B) A territorial display...basically marking an item or area as belonging to the bird performing the wipe (kinda like cats spraying but it's visual rather than scent) C) Displacement. A 'coping' mechanisim when a bird is prevented from performing an action as this causes the bird stress. Often related to aggression/jealousy...so if a low ranking bird was taken out the run and given treats, the top bird may start beak wiping as they can't perform the natural behaviour - which would be to chase the lower bird away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Thanks Roobaloo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
