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difference in scratching behavior between male and female?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by picklespickles, Dec 4, 2007.

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  1. Dec 4, 2007 #1
    picklespickles

    picklespickles Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Oct 27, 2007
    all chickens scratch for food. but have you noticed any difference between different kind of scratches? my rooster used to do this, and now my dominant female does......sort of an x scratch that is not for food, but seems more symbolic somehow. it's done on bare dirt. i also wondered if it was sharpening its beak. it reminds me of sharpening a knife somehow the way it's done.

    so, do you know what i'm talking about? if so, do all your birds do this? just some?
     
  3. Dec 4, 2007 #2
    picklespickles

    picklespickles Chillin' With My Peeps

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    okay. after having posted this now this morning i saw one of the less dominant ones do it too. the same thing. so, whatever. lol:rolleyes:
     
  5. Dec 4, 2007 #3
    BantyChickMom

    BantyChickMom Chillin' With My Peeps

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    If you're talking about rubbing his beak on something, then
    yes, all chickens do this.
    And they're just wiping their beaks off, or maybe scratching an itch.
     

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