Hanging blank, shiny cds from the ceiling (if inside) or from poles or fencing (if outside) is a common technique - chickens will peck at these without doing themselves (or each other) any harm. There will be a natural pecking order, so to speak, but you can reduce this behaviour by providing stimulants for your chickens to distract them. All forms of commercial poultry can experience cannibalism as it a behavioural problem that can develop into a habit that will persist … Pecking order, and as the term implies, is established by using their beaks. You may need to evaluate their location if people are walking to close to their cage and it is scaring them. Chickens pecking each other? In the case of the Blue Manakin, an alpha male forms a team of birds to help him attract females. Among flocks of poultry and gamebirds, feather pecking is a very serious issue that leads to as many as 220,000 poultry bird deaths each year in the UK. Hanging blank, shiny cds from the ceiling (if inside) or from poles or fencing (if outside) is a common technique - chickens will peck at these without doing themselves (or each other) any harm. There will be a natural pecking order, so to speak, but you can reduce this behaviour by providing stimulants for your chickens to distract them. Feather pecking can be light and inquisitive (something that is not really an issue) or heavier and more damaging (this is where the problems occur). All birds have one, but it has evolved differently in each species has evolved to improve its functions in response to its environment. 15 birds with unbelievable beaks The animal world is filled with unique faces, but these birds have some of the most flashy and specialized beaks around. There are several reasons that a bird might beak you as opposed to giving you a true bite. This behavior often comes across similar to the "teething" stage that young mammals go through. The birds raided each others nests for material, attempted to control food dishes and antagonized each other. Birds are a class of vertebrates with more than 18,000 different species. Were they kissing, or would it be something else? You may need to evaluate their location if people are walking to close to their cage and it is scaring them. Mama Chicken is right about it being one manifestation of the pecking order. The pecking at each others beaks sounds like preening unless there is fighting going on. Also, chickens will eat food wherever they spy it, including on or in another's beak. A frightened bird will attack it's friend as a warning. ... just like dogs being be the alpha dog... just separate the one from the others ... otherwise they will keep doing it. If your birds are outside make sure that there is enough space for the other birds to escape from the bullies. My favourite seagull couple were pecking at each others beaks, in a friendly way. The pecking at each others beaks sounds like preening unless there is fighting going on. Bigger, stronger, and more aggressive chickens bully their way to the top of the flock by pecking the others into submission with their pointy beaks.