chicken acting weird in the nest

[cluckmecoop7]

Hello all,

I have a problem. CreamPuff, one of my (huge) Buff Orps is acting really strange.

She is in the nesting boxes standing there and scratching all the wood shavings and fake eggs out onto the coop floor. She is in there a lot hogging the nests so my other girls are starting to lay in the run. I am getting a little worried. I shooed her out two times but as soon as she can she hurries back in. It's not like she's broody or anything..... it just doesn't seem like she's gonna lay an egg.

My girls started laying again (after molting/winter break) about a week ago and so far Kiwi, Dazzle, and Blamo are laying. I'm not sure about the others (they could be!!) right now but I do know that CreamPuff has been doing the egg squat. Any Ideas on what she is doing? I'm worried she might be eating the others eggs. Please and thank you!!!

Thanks for reading this long post.
- Clucky

 

[MGG]

One of my pullets did that 2 weeks before she started laying. I think she was just investigating the box

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Hmm, thanks.

 

[MGG]

Yup hope you get an egg soon

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Yup hope you get an egg soon

Thanks!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Yes, many times a hen ready to lay will "check out" the nest boxes! They will scratch out all the straw or whatever nesting material is in it and go on to the next and repeat! I have a buff Orpington (Blondie) at point of lay and today I found only 2 nests in my main coop with any straw left in them! (there are 18 nesting boxes in there!) I only got 3 eggs from that coop and the rest of the 17 were laid in coop #2. I guess she didn't get to the nest boxes in that one! Chickens are funny! I replaced it all this afternoon, but tomorrow is another day. I hope she just lays her egg and stops messing around soon!

 

[aart]

Any Ideas on what she is doing? I'm worried she might be eating the others eggs.

How old is she?
If she's just coming back into lay, that could be the reason she's 'over arranging' the nest bedding.

Have you found any nest messes(broken egg remains)?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

How old is she?
If she's just coming back into lay, that could be the reason she's 'over arranging' the nest bedding.

Have you found any nest messes(broken egg remains)?

Thank you.

She will be a 1 year old hen on February 28th. (I am celebrating their birthday!!)

No, not yet. That's what I'm not sure about. But - I have news.... it looks like maybe she laid an egg! There was an egg the next time I checked and I don't think she's doing anything bad to the nesting boxes. Thanks guys!