Why do they do this?

[ellie32526]

I noticed my chickens wiping their beaks back and forth on the ground almost like they are wiping their mouth after eating.

 

[CaCO3]

Mine do that all the time too. Especially if they eat something juicy like a berry. I don't know why but it may be just to wipe it off. Not like they can use the back if their hand....?

Interested to see what others say on this.

 

[Thebazilly]

I'm pretty sure that's all it is. I see my chicks do it all the time after they eat anything messier than dry crumbles. Gotta do something to keep their beaks clean!

 

[ellie32526]

I'm pretty sure that's all it is. I see my chicks do it all the time after they eat anything messier than dry crumbles. Gotta do something to keep their beaks clean!

Yeah, I guess you are right. It just looks so funny. They do so many entertaining things.

 

[CaCO3]

They could be sharpening their beaks for combat.

 

[Den in Penn]

To wipe them off is one reason. Sharpening them for combat is close. A chickens beak does grow and they need to file them down.

 

[CaCO3]

My chickens are warriors