Chickens preening eachother?

[Cj2512]

Hi all

Is it normal for one hen to 'preen' another? I've only got two girls and one of them, Gert, likes to softly peck at Dolly. She's not plucking feathers out, it's a much more gentle and no feathers ever come out. It seems like she's picking off invisible flecks off her friend. Neither have any lice or anything so I'm assuming it's an affectionate act but just wondered if anyone could throw more light on it.

Thanks

 

[dinosaw]

It's quite normal. I have to say I have always thought it was a case of them pecking the odd microscopic insect in the same way that they peck food off each other beaks. Either way it is a non aggressive/affectionate act. The nicest thing I have seen one chicken do for another it to put them under their wing to protect.

 

[MrsBiscuit]

It's a lovely thing to see Hens will sometimes groom cockerals. We had one very large boy, and quite often he would have 2 attendants on each side

 

[Cj2512]

Lucky boy - it's lovely watching them

 

[ColinB]

I've just seen two of ours doing that. It's very cute.