Hens scratch their beaks on the ground?

[Chicken_Hubster]

Do they scratch their beaks on the ground side to side after eating simply to help swallow or is there another reason?

 

[chicknduck]

I tell my kids it is because they are sharpening their beaks.

But seriously, I have no idea I would also like to know.

 

[kla37]

My son asked me the same question! He wanted to know if we should hang up a towel for them to wipe their beaks on.

 

[Chicken mouth]

Mine seem to do it to wipe the food off their beaks, especially with the yogurt

My lizards also do the same thing when eating, wipe their mouths but when an object is a little bit big, then their whole neck moves side to side.

 

[oliviad51]

They are wiping the food off their beaks..mine do it all the time after they eat.

 

[pontoosuc]

yeah, mine don't like anything on their beaks and will wipe off.

 

[Chicken_Hubster]

hm...interesting. Funny how chickens are concerned about their looks! Never would have thought

 

[DragonEggs]

IDK, I've seen mine doing it while just pecking around in the yard. Sometimes I come outside and their beaks are covered with dirt, so I don't think they're wiping so good if thats what their doing

 

[oliviad51]

I also think (im not sure of this) that they are wiping their beaks so they can breathe better since their nostrils are right at their beaks.

 

[Matt A NC]

on the ground?

Some of mine jump up on me and wipe their beaks on my shirt.

They are cleaning the sides of their beaks off, but it also helps keep the beak in shape. Since the beak constantly grows they have to 'sharpen it' to keep it from over growing.

Matt