AlisonH Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I was stood in my conservatory watching my 2 chooks who had jumped up onto the back go the garden bench which is at wind height. I started to notice that my more dominant amber star started to what I thought was peck my bluebell. However, as I watched I saw that she was not doing it viciously and in between grooming herself she appeared to be grooming the other one. Is this normal or is there a reason for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auntielizzie Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I don't know if it's normal, but I have certainly observed Betty "grooming" Bessie. Betty is the more dominant hen as with your two. I have wondered if it is because they are a "pair". I have never seen Bessie grooming Betty though. I would say it is definitely grooming rather than any kind of aggressive behaviour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 it's less likely to be mutual grooming and more likely to be feather pecking. The victim quite often stands there and lets the pecker pull at her feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Mine sometimes groom each other; they will peck wee bits of grit from the dustbath off each other, or a drop of water which is glistening on feathers. They've not pulled any feathers out yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 mine groom each other. sometimes they clean each others' beaks by pecking too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I see mine pecking each other's beaks too. Although I know it's food-led, I like to think of it as a friendly peck on the cheek . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I have a mother who grooms her daughter which makes me laugh...'you can't go out looking like that ' And my massive old cockeral used to stand and let his 4 ladies groom him, 2 on either side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 My chicks groom each other after they have a dust bath in some sawdust. The silly things peck off all the tiny bits of shavings and eat them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faye&Ant Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Two of mine groom each other, definitely not pecking, they are best of friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Yes, mine do this too - when one is having a dust bath, another will pick off bits of soil/whatever. Definitely not an attempt at feather- pecking, it's rather sweet to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Yes my Phoebe grooms her dominant 'partner'. It's quite sweet actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Romana always preens and grooms her sisters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted June 23, 2012 Share Posted June 23, 2012 Mine also peck food off each others' beaks. I'm not sure if it's grooming though, or just greed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
