Why do they do this??

[Country4ever]

I've noticed that if I pick up one chicken to check it over, when I put it down one or several of the others will peck on it. Is it considered contaminated/foreign if a human has removed it for 15 seconds?? I see this done consistently, and I've always wondered about it.
Anyone have any good theories?

 

[Chicky Tocks]

It's I think a peck that says "what you think your all special now? You may be his/her favorite, but I better be yours cause I'm the queen~!"

or

PEC K! You're stupid! You should have run!

 

[Country4ever]

LOL Chicky Tocks......I was thinking the same thing!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:

Or "how dare you upstage me, I'm first in command here"

 

[Country4ever]

I suppose this is immature of me, but what I do is then pick up the one that just pecked the other one. I pet her and put her down. hahahaha Maybe she'll learn from that.