What does it mean? A kiss?

[echip]

What does it mean when chickens lightly touch each other's beaks? I've seen it from newly hatched babies to adult chickens. This is not agressive pecking, just the lightest kiss-like touch. ARE they kissing? It does seem to happen with chickens who especially like one another.

 

[rcentner]

I always thought they were picking something off the other ones beak.

 

[WhetzelMomma]

They are probably preening each other. Preening can be a social activity between chickens, and usually only allowed by chickens that "like" each other or are close to each other in the pecking order.