Chicken preening - whats normal?

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Yeah, i kinda figured that with the ping pong balls killer. I have a bunch of them lying around. Golf balls, not so much, I’d hate to go buy them, but whatever. I will. Wait……so I leave the golf balls even when they go in there to lay?

I know, i know, until they get the hang of things. Right?

 

[3KillerBs]

Yeah, i kinda figured that with the ping pong balls killer. I have a bunch of them lying around. Golf balls, not so much, I’d hate to go buy them, but whatever. I will. Wait……so I leave the golf balls even when they go in there to lay?

I not only leave them in after laying starts but am actually still using the same golf balls that I had in the nest for the in-town flock 5 years ago.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Should i put ping pong balls in nest? I was planning for 2 curtains, but this one took a lot more time then I anticipated. I also didnt put partitions but wonder if I should have. The third pic is a little nest i made.

The first thing I see for improvement is putting a 3 to 4 inch lip on bottom of nest front to keep in straw, hay or shavings.
No partitions is called a community nest. Some have successfully used this type. I have never heard of it not working.
As far as pingpong balls, I agree with others that something heavier is better.
Myself all Ceramic eggs are white as I keep brown egg layers.
I've always kept Ceramic eggs in nests, only to remove if they need a washing.
Golf balls work, from what I've read, but never used them.
I also don't disturb a hen laying on a nest.
Curtains I've never used, lights in my coops are above nests and don't shine inside.

GC

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

The first thing I see for improvement is putting a 3 to 4 inch lip on bottom of nest front to keep in straw, hay or shavings.
No partitions is called a community nest. Some have successfully used this type. I have never heard of it not working.
As far as pingpong balls, I agree with others that something heavier is better.
Myself all Ceramic eggs are white as I keep brown egg layers.
I've always kept Ceramic eggs in nests, only to remove if they need a washing.
Golf balls work, from what I've read, but never used them.
I also don't disturb a hen laying on a nest.
Curtains I've never used, lights in my coops are above nests and don't shine inside. View attachment 2796862
GC

Awesome GC. I agree about needing a lip. Check the pic of this nest. What do you think? i couldnt help myself. Also, do you think the egg box is big enough for 6 birds? I have a second one you can see in this pic. Think i need it?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Also, do you think the egg box is big enough for 6 birds? I have a second one you can see in this pic. Think i need it?

I think the community nest is sufficient for 6 chickens, but it doesn't hurt to have another nest incase a hen wants privacy. GC

 

[yakitori]

I also don't disturb a hen laying on a nest.

Is there a reason for this?

I have one girl that always stands up for me to get the eggs from under her, another one nips, and the last one looks at my hand as if to ask what on earth I think I’m doing

 

[GC-Raptor]

Is there a reason for this?

A pullet/hen sees the nest as a safe, secure place to lay.
I want that to continue.
I check for eggs when I open coop, around 9 am, 1 pm and an hour before sunset. So if I don't get eggs from an occupied nest now I'll get it next time.
Each of my coops have 3 nests and all nests get used.

White eggs are fake. GC

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have one girl that always stands up for me to get the eggs from under her, another one nips, and the last one looks at my hand as if to ask what on earth I think I’m doing

Obviously if they're upset by it and running off instead of laying, that's not a good thing, but if your birds aren't bothered by you mucking around the nests, it doesn't really hurt that much. Most of mine don't seem to care.