The Poultry Keeper Forum Index The Poultry Keeper
The Independent Forum for Poultry Keepers
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch     RegisterRegister 
 Log inLog in 


chicken behaviour

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Eggs and Growers
Author Message
thandi



Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 215
Location: east sussex

PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:09 pm    Post subject: chicken behaviour Reply with quote

can anyone identify the following behaviour please?

One of my original girls follows one of my newer girls round incessantly, especially into the nest box.

When the newer girl has gone in to lay, the older one will join her covering her over with a wing (like it might with when protecting a chick).
The younger one doesnt seem to mind too much, and just lets her get on with it, but occasionally she will try to move away. When this happens the older girl appears quite miffed, and will follow the younger one, pecking at her (not seriously - but enough to get the younger ones attention), until she returns to the nest box.

any ideas?

D.
Back to top
CP
Moderator


Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 16087
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Wed May 17, 2006 6:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shocked Weird!

We have 2 that always share a nest box when they are broody, bigger one with her wing over the smaller one, but I've never heard of this behaviour?? Confused
Back to top
Knobby



Joined: 13 Apr 2005
Posts: 6707
Location: North Warwickshire

PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 7:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ahhh...sounds like the mothering instinct to me !
Back to top
Lisa



Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 3237
Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks

PostPosted: Thu May 18, 2006 8:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I vote weird! Wink

Maybe she had a dream that she'd had babies and doesn't realise it was only a dream?

See.... weird! Told you Laughing

Apart from that, I've no idea. Do you know if she is laying? Could she be about to go broody - maybe a bit hormonal!? Confused

As long as they are both okay with it (pecks not causing any damage) I would just wait and see what happens...
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    The Poultry Keeper Forum Index -> Eggs and Growers All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group