Are Chicken Tails Sensitive?

[MKetter]

When I carry the chickens, I’ll pet them down their backs. Sometimes when I get to the tail, they’ll react a little bit. Nothing so much as a cat. I was wondering if their tails were sensitive.

 

[AshVau22]

Some of my younger hens always make a little noise when I pet near the tail because they think I'm going to mate them lol

 

[redinator]

When I carry the chickens, I’ll pet them down their backs. Sometimes when I get to the tail, they’ll react a little bit. Nothing so much as a cat. I was wondering if their tails were sensitive.

I don't pet my chickens backs I usually scratch their chest/breast. I can only assume molting chickens or young chicks with pin feathers coming in might be more sensitive than usual.

Edit: You may want to check for an injury if only one or two react this way. They could've been injured in a fight or from a rooster mounting them.

 

[MKetter]

I don't pet my chickens backs I usually scratch their chest/breast. I can only assume molting chickens or young chicks with pin feathers coming in might be more sensitive than usual.

Edit: You may want to check for an injury if only one or two react this way. They could've been injured in a fight or from a rooster mounting them.

No rooster. I’ve never seen a fight. There’s only six of them. I got them as chicks in April. I was wondering more if they had a mating instinct when they’re touched there.

 

[redinator]

No rooster. I’ve never seen a fight. There’s only six of them. I got them as chicks in April. I was wondering more if they had a mating instinct when they’re touched there.

That puts them at about 5.5-6 months old, so it's likely that @AshVau22 is correct, but I figured it couldn't hurt to mention the possibility of an injury. Anytime mine act 'weird' I give them a looking over, lol. I have two cockerels so injuries are never far from my mind.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Like @redinator, I pet my chickens on their chest and throat area. Chickens don't really like their backs being touched.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Do you know where their preen gland is? That might be sensitive to touch. I'd avoid it, or any place they act ouchie.