Hen prefers someone sleeps on her head

[Kellygreen525]

I have a hen group of 2 RI reds and an Ameraucana, about 2 months old, that I've slowly introduced to my flock of 6 barred rocks who are about a month older but nearly twice in size. The new little ones sleep up highest in the coop and this evening my husband and I both noticed one of the RI reds is basically laying on the Ameraucana's head, but apparently by the Ameraucana's choice? We separate them and she goes and sticks her head back under (they're facing each other). Her head seems to be cocked towards the coop wall where there are slits and gaps so I assume she's getting air, especially since she's peeping the entire time. Not distressed peeps, her usual peeps. Is she just cold(it was a bit windy today and will be cool tonight) or weird or sick or something else? Thank you!

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Sorry but your thread title made me laugh! Chickens are just so kooky sometimes.

Baby chicks are born with an instinctive desire to snuggle underneath something soft for warmth and safety. Some of them seem to feel this desire more strongly and are never happy without a 'lid' as my family call it when we hold them and they peep until we cover their heads lightly with a hand.

By two months most have all but grown out of this because a mother hen would usually be kicking them out around then, and even if she were still mothering them they would no longer fit well underneath her. However, some needy little ones still long for that comfort and will gladly snuggle under anything warm and soft. I think your little Ameracauna is just using her perch fellows as a comfort blanket of sorts.

 

[Kellygreen525]

Sorry but your thread title made me laugh! Chickens are just so kooky sometimes.

Baby chicks are born with an instinctive desire to snuggle underneath something soft for warmth and safety. Some of them seem to feel this desire more strongly and are never happy without a 'lid' as my family call it when we hold them and they peep until we cover their heads lightly with a hand.

By two months most have all but grown out of this because a mother hen would usually be kicking them out around then, and even if she were still mothering them they would no longer fit well underneath her. However, some needy little ones still long for that comfort and will gladly snuggle under anything warm and soft. I think your little Ameracauna is just using her perch fellows as a comfort blanket of sorts.

Aww now I wanna go cuddle her. I did just check on them, her head was free. But my ducks had found their way in to the chicken coop. They had to go up a fairly steep ramp instead of their ground level house. Everyone is kooky tonight! Thanks for the reply

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Love the kooky critters!

 

[aart]

Even adult birds will try to 'hide their heads' under a flock mate...nothing to worry about.

 

[DobieLover]

I have a hen group of 2 RI reds and an Ameraucana, about 2 months old, that I've slowly introduced to my flock of 6 barred rocks who are about a month older but nearly twice in size. The new little ones sleep up highest in the coop and this evening my husband and I both noticed one of the RI reds is basically laying on the Ameraucana's head, but apparently by the Ameraucana's choice? We separate them and she goes and sticks her head back under (they're facing each other). Her head seems to be cocked towards the coop wall where there are slits and gaps so I assume she's getting air, especially since she's peeping the entire time. Not distressed peeps, her usual peeps. Is she just cold(it was a bit windy today and will be cool tonight) or weird or sick or something else? Thank you!

I have hens that do this. It is because they are trying to protect their heads from getting pecked by the higher ranking girls next to them. Often times, my lowest ranking hen will head straight for the HBIC and shove her head under her. It works great to keep from getting pecked.

 

[Grace11]

Ive noticed this behavior too in my flock. My take on it is they hide their head under the gal that picks on them..... its always somebody that seems to be higher status that gets next door roosting ladies hiding their heads under them.