Chest bumping ... only Roo behavior?

[CoffeeCowgirl]

Hi,

I have five 8 week old chickens and not sure girls or boys. But today saw 3 of them doing the chest bumping dance thing and so now suspect they are boys. Do pullets do the chest bump or am I right to suspect cockerels?

Thanks,
Mary

 

[YeOleBroodie]

Yes the girls do it too. They are all trying to tell the other "they are going to be the top hen"

 

[Drafthorsegal]

This is the all time favorite chicken game... no matter what sex, breed, age. Mine do it for hours anywhere from the day old chicks (did I mention I have the meanest chick alive?) to the older gals that are almost ready to lay.

Don't worry!

Soon you'll see the 'I have a big worm!!!! Keep away!!'... or the ever popular "How many fat hen butts can we get on this roost before someone gets shoved off..." not to mention the ... "Why are you scratching there! Here, I'll come help scratch there too!" game as well.

 

[CoffeeCowgirl]

Whew ... I am so relieved! I have one RIR that I hope is a hen as she is my favorite and "she" was do the chest bump and so was worried!

And can't wait to see the other chicken games! Today their game was let's hang out (and poop) on the deck as the yard is too wet. They thought it a fine place to lounge around! One almost ventured into the kitchen when one of the kids forgot to shut the screen door. Funny birds and I really love having them ... now glad my hubby didn't let me talk him out of getting the chicks!

Mary

 

[SC_Hugh]

My boss hen that is the bigger Dominique named Dominique and my little Cochin named Little Rickie (that I hope is just a tom-boy and not a Roo) are my two chickens that do the chest bump which is very cute behavior as they get really really tall before they bump.

Just good clean chicken fun

Hugh