Bizarre chicken behavior

[JediJinx]

This morning I go out to the coop, and there is this one pullet who I call "Effie" who is playing with straw. Yes, playing, like a parrot or something. She was picking up straw and placing it on her back. It was as if she wanted to see how many straws she could get up there before they fell off. CRAZY! I watched for a while to see if it was a fluke, but she did it over and over. Anyone else seen this?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Was she preparing a nest at the time? It is very common for birds in the nest box/their chosen place to lay that day to pick at and place bedding, straw, hay, etc on their backs.

 

[krista74]

Was she preparing a nest at the time? It is very common for birds in the nest box/their chosen place to lay that day to pick at and place bedding, straw, hay, etc on their backs.

X 2


I have one girl who almost buries herself in straw prior to laying. When you look in the nest box, all you can see his her head - the rest of her is submerged in the hay!

- Krista

 

[Eggcessive]

X3. I think all hens do that while they are in the nest box.

 

[JediJinx]

I did end up with 3 eggs today. so somebody started laying, maybe it was her!