What does it mean when chickens fluff their entire body?

[agnes_day]

mine fluff up right before they poop everywhere.

 

[jpfenimore]

This thread is helpful. Thanks.

Our Buff Orpington -- who I think is the top of our flock's pecking order -- recently started fluffing and sort of growling/screeching very loudly almost every time I come into the run. It's kind of creepy and reminds me of Regan from the Exorcist! What's going on? Is she trying to establish her dominance over me? Before this behavior started, she was the most submissive hen in the coop. She would run to my feet and go into the submissive squat position several times a day (horny little thing!). Now, not so much.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Jamie

 

[Legend]

They also do it when they are broody

 

[ohmydahl]

We recently added two new chickens to our flock and one of the older hens is ruffling up her feathers, could she be doing this to dominate the two new ones?

 

[featherhead007]

im just crazy. i thought fluffing was a bad thing, its not
it is what all birds do to show emotions, same as the deep cluuuck cluuuck/ kluk kluk