I was wondering if mutual grooming is common among chickens, especially chicks as they develop their pecking order.
I have observed my lavender Ameraucana chicks picking at each others beards and muffs and wondered if that might be a sign of submission, i.e. the dominant one allowing itself to be groomed by the others.
I searched and couldn't find anything on this type of behavior, although I remember reading one time that hens will clean the faces of their rooster.
Does one chick picking at another chicks face mean dominance vs. submission? Gender differences? Mites? (I've checked, there are no mites!)
This face picking is different than when I observed the whole group pecking the back of the "runt".
Thanks for any insight anyone can give me.
I have observed my lavender Ameraucana chicks picking at each others beards and muffs and wondered if that might be a sign of submission, i.e. the dominant one allowing itself to be groomed by the others.
I searched and couldn't find anything on this type of behavior, although I remember reading one time that hens will clean the faces of their rooster.
Does one chick picking at another chicks face mean dominance vs. submission? Gender differences? Mites? (I've checked, there are no mites!)
This face picking is different than when I observed the whole group pecking the back of the "runt".
Thanks for any insight anyone can give me.