Chicken clicking beak?

[Chicknewbie202]

Hi! I’m pretty new to owning chickens and I currently have a 16 week old hen who’s sleeping inside at the moment and I notice at night she’ll make clicking noises with her beak? Now she doesn’t do this normally it’s only been for the last 3-4 days but she doesn’t do it at all during the day only at night. She is not unwell and has no other symptoms. It’s similar to the noise she makes when picking at her feathers as she’s moulting but not the same

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's pretty normal at roost time. I believe it's a sign of contentment.

 

[TokoBird]

Hi! I’m pretty new to owning chickens and I currently have a 16 week old hen who’s sleeping inside at the moment and I notice at night she’ll make clicking noises with her beak? Now she doesn’t do this normally it’s only been for the last 3-4 days but she doesn’t do it at all during the day only at night. She is not unwell and has no other symptoms. It’s similar to the noise she makes when picking at her feathers as she’s moulting but not the same

If it looks like she’s moving her beak like she’s chewing something small, kinda grinding it a little to make a soft chatter, that is a “I’m feeling safe/content” gesture.

Sometimes a chicken does the grind-chatter as a self-soothing thing to TRY to feel safer when nervous - but if you’re seeing it when she’s settling down and relaxing, it’s likely a positive sign of her mood.

It’s essentially a chicken’s equivalent to a cat’s purr.

 

[Skyeknight]

That's pretty normal at roost time. I believe it's a sign of contentment.

but if you’re seeing it when she’s settling down and relaxing, it’s likely a positive sign of her mood.

It’s essentially a chicken’s equivalent to a cat’s purr.

This is the cutest thing I have heard all day! I have also noticed this behaviour when I sit down with my chickens during the day. They also show eye pinning. I kinda just assumed the beak movements were them just wanting to eat something because of their insatiable hunger. Gonna be on the look out for this!