One of the Ideal 236s will grab a clump of loose (cut) grass and throw it on its back. She does it several times. It doesn’t stay. The grass just falls right back off. I don’t know if this is done all the time. I’ve noticed it when she’s going in and out of the nest box before she lays her egg. Is this normal? If so, what’s the purpose?
Chicken Throws Grass on Its Back
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Camouflage
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A Special Forces chicken. I’ll have to see if my sister can make her a little green beret.
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As mentioned it's like an attempt at camouflage but they're not very good at it... occasionally they'll manage to balance a stick or a piece of hay on their backs and walk around like that until it falls off. 
lol
I’ve seen references to pullets and hens doing this as part of nesting, but I think that’s all just speculation.
- edit to add: I like @rosemarythyme ’s reply better!
I’ve seen references to pullets and hens doing this as part of nesting, but I think that’s all just speculation.
- edit to add: I like @rosemarythyme ’s reply better!
Most of my hens do that after laying their eggs throwing whatever they pick up on the ground over their shoulders a few times, then drink a lot of water.
One of mine does this IN the nest box. Tosses shavings over her back while she’s settling in. I assumed it was some kind of chicken superstition.
I guess at the end of the day so long that they are not sick, then all is well. Such behaviour is mostly a sign of reproductive issues, but it is not always the case.
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