Chicken burrowing head into other chickens backside?

[Brooksy86]

I have two silkies, I'm honestly unsure of their ages, but I noticed the slightly smaller of the two keeps on burrowing/nuzzling her head into the others rear/back section. They both seem happy enough with this ritual, but what's this all about? And sorry if this is a stupid question, I am still a total beginner at all this.

Thanks!

 

[Flock Master64]

My pullets used to do that when they wanted to hide from me

 

[Brooksy86]

Could exlain it, maybe the silkie is a lot younger than I thought and both are utterly petrified of me.

 

[donrae]

I think it goes back to being brooded by a hen. It's an instinctive behavior, doesn't matter if the chick ever saw a momma hen or not. Their instinct is to get under another bird. Most lose this as they age, but some don't.

My main coop is a converted greenhouse. It has a shelf that runs around the interior, and that's where many of my birds roost at night. They tend to huddle underneath each other, even at a year or so old. Each night they're jockeying for who gets their head under who......it's a comfort thing apparently.

 

[Grace11]

Even my old girls do that, Its the same motion that a chick does to get itself under mamas feathers. I've even had a chicken do that while being petted - they'll try to get their head under my unclosed jacket and under my arm where its dark and they feel safe under mama. Not to mention it keeps their head from being pecked by others close that would rather they go roost somewhere else...

 

[Flock Master64]

Even my old girls do that, Its the same motion that a chick does to get itself under mamas feathers. I've even had a chicken do that while being petted - they'll try to get their head under my unclosed jacket and under my arm where its dark and they feel safe under mama. Not to mention it keeps their head from being pecked by others close that would rather they go roost somewhere else...

My pullets do that to my jacket

 

[Zoologist]

I’m about 6 years late to this post haha, but I recently got a silkie that is about 4 months old and whenever she is scared she tried to hide/burrow into me it’s very cute