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beak-wiping

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by urbanfred, Jul 15, 2007.

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  1. Jul 15, 2007 #1
    urbanfred

    urbanfred In the Brooder

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    I'm just curious....what is the reason for the wiping of the beak on the ground? My three girls do this fifty times a day.
    Is it marking turf, like cats do? If so, is there a scent gland involved?
    Is it to sharpen the beak (lordy, I hope not)?
    Is this a silly question?
     
  2. Jul 15, 2007 #2
    speckledhen

    speckledhen Intentional Solitude Premium Member 11 Years

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    Hey, they don't have napkins, so they have to wipe their mouths somewhere, LOL. Seriously, that's all it is. If I give them something like yogurt, they always do that.
     
  3. Jul 15, 2007 #3
    Southern28Chick

    Southern28Chick Flew The Coop

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    It's not a silly question! I always thought they were just wiping their mouths. Mine do it a lot after eating watermelon.
     
  4. Jul 15, 2007 #4
    Jsto

    Jsto Songster

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    Mine love to use me as a napkin. I suppose clothing and even skin work better as a wiper-offer than the dirt! I swear, sometimes they'll hop up on me and I stupidly think they're coming for a bit of a snuggle, but they're just using me!
     
  5. Jul 15, 2007 #5
    speckledhen

    speckledhen Intentional Solitude Premium Member 11 Years

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    LOL, I get used, too, but anything for my girls!
     
  6. Jul 15, 2007 #6
    SpottedCrow

    SpottedCrow Flock Goddess

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    Just using us as a convenient napkin...sigh...
    It usually if they've gotten something sticky or goopy.
     
  7. Jul 15, 2007 #7
    Critter Crazy

    Critter Crazy Songster

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    they are just doing what my kids do on their shirt sleeves![​IMG][​IMG]
     
  8. Jul 15, 2007 #8
    3peeps

    3peeps Songster

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    My really intense young Australorp does this all the time, or at least a lot more than the other two. Maybe she (he?) has OCD. [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2007
  9. Jul 15, 2007 #9
    3peeps

    3peeps Songster

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    Quote:Or on our shirt sleeves, especially if we're wearing something nice!
     
  10. Jul 17, 2007 #10
    annrich

    annrich Songster

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    Yup just looking for a napkin!! My 5 week old BO used my big toe to clean her beak. I just had a pedicure too.
     
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