Snuggling Behaviour

[JammyTheBirb]

This is something I'm wondering about, since I saw it again today. Fluffy, a naked neck pullet we hatched earlier this year was making soft little clucks, then went over to her 'brother' Simon, and tried to get underneath him like a chick snuggling under a hen. He seemed surprised, backed off a little and gave her a few pecks, but then seemed happy enough for her to stay there.

It's something I've seen a few times, usually with certain hens towards Simon's dad, Gok. I'm just wondering why they do this, because it's very cute.

 

[azygous]

Adults chickens do at times feel like indulging in the security of diving under the wing or breast or butt of another chicken, some seem compulsive about it.

I have an adult Buff Orpington that prefers to jam herself under the butts of her low-perch mates, a Brahma and Cochin to sleep. The perch is six inches high to accommodate my heaviest breeds. Every single night, I fish her out from under the other hens and place her on the perch since sleeping under chicken butts is dangerously inviting getting pooped on.

I have other hens that love to climb into my lap and jam their heads under my arm pit, effectively shutting out the world. I am pretty sure all this is a bliss seeking behavior.

 

[aart]

Adults chickens do at times feel like indulging in the security of diving under the wing or breast or butt of another chicken, some seem compulsive about it.

Yup.

I have an adult Buff Orpington that prefers to jam herself under the butts of her low-perch mates, a Brahma and Cochin to sleep. The perch is six inches high to accommodate my heaviest breeds. Every single night, I fish her out from under the other hens and place her on the perch since sleeping under chicken butts is dangerously inviting getting pooped on

Mine are 8" and there's always a few that like to roost on the boards under the roost...I leave them to it, being pooped on hasn't been a problem, pretty much rolls of their backs except for the rare juicy poop.

 

[azygous]

Yeh, I sometimes let her alone, like last night when the temp was diving like a Kamikazi.

 

[JammyTheBirb]

Ah, that's good! I just wanted to make sure it's not a sign of illness or something we should be worried about. Good to know I'm free to 'aww' haha.

 

[BlueBaby]

Depending on where you live at, it's starting to get colder in some area's. Since she is a Naked Neck, maybe she was feeling chilled and was trying to get under him for warmth.