what is she up to???

[lauramb]

So I never had a chicken till now. She will jump on my lap and hang out with me. Give me little pecks and rub her beak on me. Fallow me every place I go. I didn't know chickens do this. What is she doing? She is a grown hen that showed up one day in bad shape so we kept her and are getting her healthy. Oh and today she was doing this this like a growl and her neck feathers puffed up. What's that?
Thanks Laura

 

[Spinpuff]

That is called normal behavior for a chicken that loves you : ) A young chick will often peck at its Mom to show familiarity and affection. Rubbing the beak is just a way to clean it. If she feels safe with you, she may do that. The growl is just an alarm sound signifying possible danger. If she had a flock, they would all stand very still and listen. You are her only flock, so she is warning you of possible chicken danger : ) How about a picture of your new feathery friend?

 

[lauramb]

Here she is! I want to get her a chicken friend soon.

 

[lauramb]

Thank you for the info!

 

[Spinpuff]

Good idea to get a chicken friend for her as they are flock animals. They will either attach to a flock or to you! And if you don't have the time to be her flock, it will wear on her. I cannot tell from the picture if she is a pure breed, or just a barn yard mix of some kind. I am sure she will be a great hen for you, and lay you eggs if she is still young enough. And even if you get her a chicken friend, if you continue to interact with her, she will continue to be a buddy also.

 

[Spinpuff]

P.S. Do look up how to introduce one hen to another before you try it because it is a trick. The proverbial "pecking order" is a very serious thing to a chicken! There may be some fighting before one will accept the other. It's a chicken thing...