[violet]

I noticed today that two of my hens were sat (almost laying down) next to each other and one of them kept gently sort of pecking the face of the other, not in an aggressive manner and the one being "pecked" did not seem to be the least concerned...

[Kate and her Ducks]

My ducks do this. When they are sat next to each other grooming themselves they often seem to get distracted and preen each other. They all seem quite happy about it.

[Foxy]

I see something similar with my hens who gently tug the hackle feathers of the cockerel  quite close to his face and he just sort of stands there, very odd! I am sure there is a reason for it though, strange sort of affection I guess.... :shock:  :shock:

[GrannieAnnie]

I've never really noticed signs of affection between my chooks, except the 2 meat chooks who can't walk very well. they live together on their own now as the others wouldn't let them feed, and they go to sleep with ones head over the neck of the other one, but when the other chooks are gently pecking each other's beaks, I think its because they can see a bit of food left there and they want it!!!!      

[Nats]

Mine definitely groom each other, but not that often. Also they're only two of them so maybe they're more 'attached' to each other than the average chicken that lives with lots of others!

I agree, the chicken being groomed stands very still while it's being 'done'!

[ness]

Weirdly I just noticed one of my chicks grooming the neck feathers of his "mum".  She had her eyes closed in a happy sort of way.  I'm sure the little blighter is a boy, I hope he's learning how to be nice to the ladies.  It was very sweet to see.