A new annoying habit

[Ascholten]

Im not sure if they are doing this on purpose or what but my chickens are burying their eggs in the pine shavings in the nesting box. Im not talking just a slight few straws over them but like they are buried in there and I have to dig them out. They have been doing this for the past few days now and I find it very odd.

I say they but its probably one of them burying all of them. Any ideas why or what they are up to?

THanks
Aaron

 

[deidreg]

Mine just started burying some eggs, too. I'm not worried.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-hens-are-burying-their-eggs.1443248/

I'm no help but I did find this. Hopefully there's something in that thread to help.

 

[KingD]

Do they still do the pile up laying job where they all want the same box?

Maybe they're a bit more organized now and they clear the space for the next hen.

 

[Ascholten]

Do they still do the pile up laying job where they all want the same box?

Maybe they're a bit more organized now and they clear the space for the next hen.

Clearing space for the next hen, ... this from a species that would literally KILL each other for a Junebug if only it was that simple. yes they do the pile up still, and I was thinking that or thinking they are rooting around in the nesting box too along with the regular shavings but these are deep so im kind of leaning towards intentional, and until I am actually home to spy on them, I wont know for sure. I seen some comments in an earlier thread that the box may be too deep with shavings. Mine is deep but this has not been an issue until now. Hmm, maybe I eat one at a time until it stops then I know who was doing it

If anything, they drag existing eggs under them while they lay theirs too, I generally find them in a clump, not scattered.

Aaron

 

[Ascholten]

Ok NOW she is laying the eggs in the middle of the friggin coop, just right in the open in the damned lawn WTF?? I just cleaned out the litter in the nest box no sign of rats or anything that'd make her do THIS. Only 2 of the 4 are laying too, so I wonder if something is scaring them at night, though no sign, or are we coming into a molt or what? This is disturbing.

Aaron