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Brooding hen..oil gland rubbing while hatching chicks?

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post #1 of 3

1/29/13 at 6:01pm

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kelly77

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What is she doing? She plucked all the feathers around the oil gland and is rubbing her beak on it them going under her to the chicks...is she preening them or marking her sent? Just curious..shes doing this right after they hatched

13 Silkie/frizzel Chickens, 4 Runner ducks, 1 Dog, 2 Cats, 1 Rabbit, 2 teenagers and 1 husband

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post #2 of 3

1/29/13 at 6:07pm

sourland
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I haven't a clue. I've had chickens for a lifetime and have never witnessed this behavior. I'm hoping someone weighs in on this.

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post #3 of 3

1/31/13 at 6:36am

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kelly77

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Quote:

Originally Posted by sourland

I haven't a clue. I've had chickens for a lifetime and have never witnessed this behavior. I'm hoping someone weighs in on this.

We think she was senting them...maybe this is how she would know her chicks around others...because she hasn't done it since and she did it every time one hatched. It was amazing how fast she got those lil buggers out of their shells. I have incubated eggs and it was a process for them to hatch, she would assist by cracking the outer shell. This is my first year with chickens

13 Silkie/frizzel Chickens, 4 Runner ducks, 1 Dog, 2 Cats, 1 Rabbit, 2 teenagers and 1 husband