This is a very specific question (my speciality, it seems).
I had feather picking in my previous flock by RIR mixes, so anytime I see a chicken eyeing the feathers of another, I go straight to red alert.
I do understand there's some natural grooming, etc. that takes place between flockmates. One pullet is getting a bit on my nerves, though.
She's the lowest ranking on the three, and the only one that hasn't laid yet. Everyone's six months-old. Over the last week, she's made a habit of beaking or mouthing at her friends while they preen. Almost like how chickens will congregate around the one dust bathing to "help". When they finally react, she'll take the opportunity to do the odd dominate/submissive stare down. The other bird does not care and will resume preening. Rinse and repeat. I'm not sure what to make of it.
She'll also do this to my pants. All of my birds go through a phase where they have to learn to be gentle, and Clover (bird in question) was a late bloomer in the cuddle department. Perhaps it's not related, since she's just now learning about pant seams and not to grab them with the force of pliers.
One thing I can add: We previously had a 4th pullet that made it her life's work to exert the pecking order on Clover. That bird has since been rehomed, and the three have been living together peacefully for the last 2-3 weeks. Everyone has ample space and entertainment. She only does it while someone's preening nearby, and it's not EVERY time. But it's enough to notice. Clover does not perform any other pecking order behaviors (if that's even what this is).
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on what this could mean!
Some of my theories:
"Hey, look at me!"
"Let me help you with that, you filthy animal!
"I'm going to lay eggs soon and don't want to be bottom bird, so I'll beak at you passive aggressively while you're distracted."
"I'm bored."
I had feather picking in my previous flock by RIR mixes, so anytime I see a chicken eyeing the feathers of another, I go straight to red alert.
I do understand there's some natural grooming, etc. that takes place between flockmates. One pullet is getting a bit on my nerves, though.She's the lowest ranking on the three, and the only one that hasn't laid yet. Everyone's six months-old. Over the last week, she's made a habit of beaking or mouthing at her friends while they preen. Almost like how chickens will congregate around the one dust bathing to "help". When they finally react, she'll take the opportunity to do the odd dominate/submissive stare down. The other bird does not care and will resume preening. Rinse and repeat. I'm not sure what to make of it.
She'll also do this to my pants. All of my birds go through a phase where they have to learn to be gentle, and Clover (bird in question) was a late bloomer in the cuddle department. Perhaps it's not related, since she's just now learning about pant seams and not to grab them with the force of pliers.
One thing I can add: We previously had a 4th pullet that made it her life's work to exert the pecking order on Clover. That bird has since been rehomed, and the three have been living together peacefully for the last 2-3 weeks. Everyone has ample space and entertainment. She only does it while someone's preening nearby, and it's not EVERY time. But it's enough to notice. Clover does not perform any other pecking order behaviors (if that's even what this is).
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on what this could mean!
Some of my theories:
"Hey, look at me!"
"Let me help you with that, you filthy animal!
"I'm going to lay eggs soon and don't want to be bottom bird, so I'll beak at you passive aggressively while you're distracted."
"I'm bored."
