Hen lightly pecking another hen.

[Col1948]

I am in the process of introducing 2 new hens to my flock of 3.
I have the 2 new ones separated in a small coop with attached run, I notice they tend to squat down together and huddle, later I was watching them and one was very lightly pecking the other one, not aggressive but like cats sometimes clean each other fur.
I was wondering if this was a similar thing, like preening her friend, is it a sign of affection or is it something else?

Col.

 

[Chickassan]

That is communication for them. They do alot of talking, comforting and scolding via beak. It has tons of nerve endings so it is like a big face finger.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Sometimes they'll peck at a spot or wound on combs. My roosters have to undergo this torture relentlessly.

 

[Shadrach]

Yes it's normal and often quite endearing. As @Chickassan writes, the beak is full of nerve endings and extremely sensitive. Think of their beaks as hands.

 

[Shadrach]

Sometimes they'll peck at a spot or wound on combs. My roosters have to undergo this torture relentlessly.

The roosters here bend their heads so the hens can do exactly this. It's not aggression.
The rooster can't clean around his comb, wattles or eyes and what could be mistaken for aggressive pecking is the hens tidying up their man..
Some hens are fussier about their roosters appearance than others. I have one rooster who gets most upset because the senior hen won't groom him.

 

[chuckachucka]

Wait, reading this, now i'm wondering what a beak trimming would be like for them? I always thought the beak was like our fingernails, I.e no sensation except in the root...

 

[Shadrach]

Wait, reading this, now i'm wondering what a beak trimming would be like for them? I always thought the beak was like our fingernails, I.e no sensation except in the root...

It's ignorant and barbaric in my opinion.

 

[Col1948]

I see all of them every now and again rub their beak from side to side on a paving stone as if to keep it sharp.

 

[DobieLover]

I always thought them rubbing their beaks side to side on objects was to wipe their beaks off! Mine don't just do that on rocks, but on wood, grass, whatever is handy.

 

[Chickassan]

The roosters here bend their heads so the hens can do exactly this. It's not aggression.
The rooster can't clean around his comb, wattles or eyes and what could be mistaken for aggressive pecking is the hens tidying up their man..
Some hens are fussier about their roosters appearance than others. I have one rooster who gets most upset because the senior hen won't groom him.

True! Only one hen grooms my rooster's comb and beard. She's the top hen but they do not mate, the grooming is the only attention he gets from her. If he tries to mate she fights, if she submits he fights. They only have the grooming ritual which is very intimate considering he's leaving a very vital area prone to her whims.

Wait, reading this, now i'm wondering what a beak trimming would be like for them? I always thought the beak was like our fingernails, I.e no sensation except in the root...

I'd imagine it is like having your fingernail torn off. It has a huge bundle of nerves right at the tip so i'd bet it is awful.