Behavior After Egg Laying

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Has anyone had their hens pick up bedding, grasses, or twigs and drop them on their backs after laying an egg? I have seen a few of my hens exhibit this behavior and I’m wondering what it means and if anyone else has birds that do this. When exhibited by one of my hens she will come out of the nest box and start picking up any bedding, grasses, or small twigs that she comes across and then turn her head and drop them over her back a couple of times. The hen will cease the behavior in less than 2 minutes and then go see what the rest of the flock is up to.

 

[Shadrach]

Has anyone had their hens pick up bedding, grasses, or twigs and drop them on their backs after laying an egg? I have seen a few of my hens exhibit this behavior and I’m wondering what it means and if anyone else has birds that do this. When exhibited by one of my hens she will come out of the nest box and start picking up any bedding, grasses, or small twigs that she comes across and then her head and drop them over her back a couple of times. The hen will cease the behavior in less than 2 minutes and then go see what the rest of the flock is up to.

Yes, it's a mistimed nest building reaction.
If you watch hens when laying most will rearrange the nest box material to a greater, or lesser extent. I've had two pullets do this so far. They did eventually work out that it was all a bit pointless given they were no longer on the nest.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I had a hen do the behavior before she laid an egg once.

 

[aart]

Pretty normal....some do it, some don't.

 

[Trish1974]

Yep, mine do.

 

[GC-Raptor]

One of my 3 years old Golden Comets does that, and some of my 8 months old Barred Rocks do it.. Don't know why? But I like to think they are celebrating! GC

 

[HuffleClaw]

Pretty normal....some do it, some don't.

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