Why Does My Hen Keep Sticking Her Head Under the Other Chickens?

[CluckCommander]

Hey everyone! Ive got a weird chicken behavior going on, and Im wondering if anyone else has seen this.

My Lavender Brahma (LB) has this habit of sticking her head under other chickens when theyre roosting like a chick trying to get under a broody hen. It started last winter when she was young, and now shes the head of the pecking order in a flock of five. Lately, shes been doing it almost every night, usually shoving her head under whichever hen ends up roosting to her left. Sometimes she pushes them so much theyre up on their claws!

It looks hilarious you walk into the coop and see this big white head between the legs of an annoyed pullet. But Im starting to worry that the hens getting squished might not be able to keep their feet warm, especially in cold weather.

Is this normal behavior? Should I be worried? And if its a problem, how can I get her to stop?

[CrowingChampion]

It sounds like your LB still has some chick-like instincts, especially since she did this when younger. Sometimes chickens retain these habits as a form of comfort, particularly after changes in the flock dynamic like losing their original roost mate. I'd keep an eye on the birds she's bothering , if they seem cold or stressed, it may be worth intervening. You could try rearranging roost positions or even offering a second roost bar at a similar height to spread them out a bit more.

[HappyHens]

I've seen similar behavior in my flock, and it often happens with birds seeking warmth or a sense of security. Since your LB is higher in the pecking order, she might also be using this as a subtle form of dominance , claiming her space by physically pushing others aside. It's funny to watch, but I'd watch for signs of frostbite or stress in the other birds. If they're getting pushed off-balance every night, they might struggle to keep their feet warm. Providing more roosting options or gently nudging the LB toward a more central spot could help.

[ChirpyScribe]

Could be a dominance thing , head-tucking sometimes shows trust or an attempt to claim space. I'd watch to make sure no one's stressed.

[CluckyMcNugget]

This behavior might be about warmth or comfort, but it can also signal insecurity. Chickens sometimes look for physical closeness when they feel uneasy. Given the cold snap you mentioned, your LB might just be trying to stay warm. That said, if she's pushing others up on their claws regularly, it could cause stress or imbalance. Adding more roosting space or slightly widening the perches might help reduce crowding and give everyone a fair chance to settle comfortably. You could also observe their behavior right after lights out , sometimes they work it out once things settle.

[ClutchCrafter]

If feet warmth is a concern, try adding more roost space so everyone can spread out more comfortably.