Reading Chicken Body Language

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

I'm sure this must be a double post so could some one please direct me to the thread or area which discusses the actions our chickens do and what they mean.
ie: a young rooster was "displaying(?)" with wing tip touching the ground next to a young hen. What does it mean in chicken talk?
I'd like to know what other "talk" they do and what it means.

 

[gritsar]

The wing dance is what you are describing. It can have two meanings (that I know of). It's to court a hen. I know that my roosters also do it to "corral" their hens; get the hens to do what they want.

I remember reading in a magazine - I think it was Backyard Poultry - that roosters have many, many different vocalizations. They have one for ground predators, one for aerial. The calls are even different for the type of land or aerial predator.

Roosters are the most interesting critter there is.

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Quote:
Thanks for the speedy reply. . . So, is there an area on BYC which describes many of these actions?

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Thanks for the speedy reply. . . So, is there an area on BYC which describes many of these actions?

If you use the search feature I'm sure there are plenty.

Here's an interesting article on roosters in the flock (Backyard Poultry magazine):

http://www.backyardpoultrymag.com/issues/1/1-2/Harvey_Ussery.html