I was wondering the same this, actually... I have seen my hen do it a few times--looks like it huuuurts! My poor jake!! I think its more of a curiosity thing... she tilts her head and looks at it really hard... then switches eyes.. then cautiously pecks. Then pecks again and grabs! Ow ow ow!
My jake (maybe he's a "tom" now, idk) and hen are only about a year and 4 months old, and his beard is finally starting to poke through his chest feathers... kind of looks like a pinecone. She doesn't peck at anyone else or peck her own feathers, so I'm not toooo concerned... I am keeping a close eye on her, though.
Maybe she wants her own beard? Lol!
