Why does my friendly pet rooster....

[cjmama]

I have a friendly silkie rooster that follows me around and wants to be held and petted all the time.
I would love to know why when I pet his head or scratch his head he moveshis head back and forth while his beak opens and closes in small motions. Why is he doing this?
Other times he just closes his eyes and goes to sleep.

 

[pippo]

What a strange behavior. Maybe he is content and feels safe? I'm no chicken behavior expert but interested if you find anything out!

 

[cjmama]

That is what I am wondering. But if he is not happy with what I'm doing I would hate to keep doing it and not know that.
Does anyone else's chicken do that when they pat or scratch their head?

 

[Briza]

Perhaps he's trying to use your hand to scratch an itch he can't reach.

 

[Nupe]

Perhaps he's trying to use your hand to scratch an itch he can't reach.

Kind of like when you scratch a dog's head they move down until you're scratching their butt?

 

[cjmama]

That is too funny!!
But that is one of my thoughts of what he was doing. But sometimes he will also lay his head up against my chest and his beak will open and close continuously. ( Which I guess does resemble some of the larger parrots that do that when they are content.)
I guess I just have a weird chicken!

 

[Cynthia 085]

Hi
I too have a silkie rooster. I pet him and he goes to sleep. Really cute and nice. When you are holding them the chicken gets hot and they open their beaks. That is a good indication to let them go. If thats not it then I am not sure. Good luck

 

[cjmama]

Thanks for your idea but it isnt a "pant". A lot of times when he does it he will move his head back and forth quickly almost like I found a itchy spot. It's weird!!

 

[Bine]

My roosters enjoy when her fav. hen is grooming neck and beard feathers. They stand still and hold the head down so the hen can reach the head, they often close their eys and make a funny crispy sound with the beak, It seems to be a very special favour from the hens side and a sign of trust from the roosters side.

 

[Lozuufy]

My rooster loves having his chin scratched, by me or the hens, and he closes his eyes and opens his beak also. He was raised with turkeys and they would always preen each other at night so I think he misses that now that I sold those turkeys.