top of page
Why do chickens often stroke their feathers with their beaks?
A specific gland (uropygial) located on the tail (pygostyle) produces an oily substance that is distributed with the beak on the feathers during grooming operations. These oily secretions, also produced by skin cells (keratinocytes), deposit a protective film on the feathers, making them waterproof, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and preventing the feathers from drying out.
bottom of page