Does tail position mean anything?

[BrewedInNh]

Our girls are about 11 weeks old now, we have 6 EE's. We moved them to the new coop a few days ago and allowed them to range for a couple hours today.

Ranging went great, and they returned to the coop on their own at dusk. While they roamed the yard I noticed that their tails were all straight up, as opposed to flat when they're indoors.

Tail position has meaning in other animals, does it mean anything in chickens?

 

[Tomhusker]

I'm fairly new to chickens, but I have figured so far, with my Barred Rocks anyway, when the Tail is position towards me, they are walking away from me. If it is positioned on the other side away from me, they are walking towards me. Like I said, this is for my BR's, other breeds may be different.

 

[lovinlife]

LOL!

I've noticed that when my hens are searching for bugs, their tails are up. When they're relaxed, their tails tend to be down.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I have noticed this as well, but had not had the opportunity to ask. Thanks!

 

[gamechickens]

yeah alert tails up i have noticed also. maybe they are trying to make them selfs bigger? let me ask my husband. he agrees

 

[BrewedInNh]

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I just knew it had to mean something.

 

[BrewedInNh]

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That makes sense, they're in hunting mode. Glad to hear it isn't just our silly chickens that do it.


Thanks everyone.

 

[elmo]

I'll bet it's an adaptation to help keep the flock in visual contact if they were in high grass or brush, as they would be if they were foraging in the wild. A chicken's head will usually be down pecking at the ground, but with a tail up high, her flockmates can spot her and stay nearby.

 

[Tomhusker]

Quote:

I just knew it had to mean something.

I sat and watched my Lavender Orps for more than 3 hours this morning and it seems that this holds true for them as well. They are a lot younger though and this may be a learned trait and not natural. I wish I were more experienced....

 

[medan]

I have about 30 barred rock from adult to in brooder the tail movement seems to be linked to excitement or stimulation