Do chickens groom each other?

[DeeBocBoc]

I just got my ladies this past spring so everything that I see is new to me. I just went out to check on them and watched one gently pecking at the feathers under another's beak. Both were very calm as this was happening. I am very familiar with cats grooming each other and so I wonder if this is what they were doing. The one being 'groomed' has been on the receiving end of a lot of aggressive pecking of late (she even lost the vision in one eye a few months ago because of this). I've been able to 'successfully' reintroduce her to her sisters but I've been keeping a close watch on them to make sure she is ok, hence why I was able to witness this new behaviour. I'm just curious as to what you experts think this behaviour means.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I’m not sure. I’ve seen the same thing. Mine like to wipe their beaks after eating wet food, so perhaps the grooming bird is after food and the groomed bird appreciates getting its face cleaned?

 

[DeeBocBoc]

I’m not sure. I’ve seen the same thing. Mine like to wipe their beaks after eating wet food, so perhaps the grooming bird is after food and the groomed bird appreciates getting its face cleaned?

Could be. Yes, they do like to wipe there beaks after eating messy food.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

i believe they do!

 

[DeeBocBoc]

i believe they do!

Then maybe the fact that the *bully* is grooming my darling Rosemary means that our months of monitor is over and that she has been accepted back into the group!!

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I had a hen that all she ever wanted to do was clean everybody's beaks. I've even seen this hen licking other hens' beaks! Hens usually will clean the rooster's face. Check your hen for mites. Your hen maybe seeing bugs there and she is eating. Or she could be like my hen and just can't stand somebody's face dirty.

 

[DeeBocBoc]

I had a hen that all she ever wanted to do was clean everybody's beaks. I've even seen this hen licking other hens' beaks! Hens usually will clean the rooster's face. Check your hen for mites. Your hen maybe seeing bugs there and she is eating. Or she could be like my hen and just can't stand somebody's face dirty.

Ok thanks for this feedback. Because of the eye issue the vet did a pretty thorough look over her and specifically told me there were no mites. But I am going to tuck that advice away until I need it!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I see lot's of cool behaviors and yes grooming is one of them.

When my boys are separated from the ladies they will let them groom through the fence even. They peck at their wounds but not in a brutal way or intent at least. They did pull off scabs but more like cleaning and definitely NOT cannibalism. I think they will pluck off parasites like lice if the see them too! I don't see why not... some of my hens groom my sweater.

I find... the groomer is usually the dominant one. And the other is being submissive. Though it isn't often, I do think SOME develop friendships. It does take a fair amount of trust to let someone peck around your eye and such.

Glad to see you are enjoying chicken TV. It's a wide world of entertainment. The fun and learning never stop!

 

[DeeBocBoc]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I see lot's of cool behaviors and yes grooming is one of them.

When my boys are separated from the ladies they will let them groom through the fence even. They peck at their wounds but not in a brutal way or intent at least. They did pull off scabs but more like cleaning and definitely NOT cannibalism. I think they will pluck off parasites like lice if the see them too! I don't see why not... some of my hens groom my sweater.

I find... the groomer is usually the dominant one. And the other is being submissive. Though it isn't often, I do think SOME develop friendships. It does take a fair amount of trust to let someone peck around your eye and such.

Glad to see you are enjoying chicken TV. It's a wide world of entertainment. The fun and learning never stop!

Thank you! Yes, I am very familiar with the behaviours of other animals so what you say makes sense. I think what stumped me was the fact that I've been struggling for months to make sure that Rosemary is safe and then I see this today from one of our more dominant ladies.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

It's pretty adorable to watch a hen that is nestled up against a rooster on the roost examining his face and tenderly pecking at it. The rooster is like - "You're paying attention to me; you can do whatever you want."