Preening or Bullying?

ReaderRabbit · « **on:** September 10, 2008, 07:57 »

Good morning all

I've noticed that my girls seem to peck at each others feathers and beaks - not in a nasty way and the recepient just stands there and takes it. Are they 'having a go' at each other or are they preening each other - do chickens acually do that :?:

I have also noticed that Tori (white wyandotte) 'treads' the other two (gold laced Wyandotte and Barnebar) - I thought this was what cockerals did, or does the dominant hen do it too :?: BTW they are about 22 weeks and no eggs yet

RR

Jellyhead · « **Reply #1 on:** September 10, 2008, 08:10 »

I thought it was only cockerels too :shock: if they are preening each other as you have mentioned then I would be tempted to check that they haven't got any crawlies on them :shock: as long as they aren't doing it in an agitated way then I wouldn't worry about it. As for eggies, well when they are ready :roll:

be worth waiting for tho

stickywicket · « **Reply #2 on:** September 10, 2008, 08:45 »

Mine preen each other as well sometimes and I haven't spotted any crawlies on them.

They also act like cockerals. They chase each other and put their legs up in the air (is that 'treading'?). :shock:

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