Chickens Burying Eggs?

[SunriseChickers]

I put some straw out today in a muddy area and it was a big improvement even after they scratched through it for an hour. I have a couple of log sections in the run that they seem to enjoy. Going to make a swing and see how that goes. When we get some more snow, I'll hang a cabbage.

As an aside, when I let the pullets out into the yard this afternoon I walked back into the house an looked out the window to keep an eye on them.... one hen had dropped an egg in the middle of the yard! Must have been excited to get out of the run

I had a swing for my girls, but they didn't like the fact that it wasn't stable.

 

[BigATC]

I had a swing for my girls, but they didn't like the fact that it wasn't stable.

Ah. I've heard that some may take a while to get used to it. I think it's the lack of stability that makes it interesting for some. Easy to get rid of if the chickens turn up their noses (beaks) I suppose. Thanks.

 

[cmom]

Years ago I used spanish moss in my nest boxes and the birds would try to bury the eggs in the spanish moss.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Years ago I used spanish moss in my nest boxes and the birds would try to bury the eggs in the spanish moss.
View attachment 1619742

Hm. I wonder if if hey think it will keep them warm and they will hatch.

 

[cmom]

Now I use pine shaving in the nest boxes and every now and then I will find some buried in the shavings.

 

[SunriseChickers]

I guess it can not be explained. Thank you all for your help.

 

[EggWalrus]

@BigATC, post: 20764796, member: When we get some more snow, I'll hang a cabbage![/QUOTE]
They love a Cabbage Piñata!

 

[ShannonR]

It's instinct. They bury their eggs to protect them while they are laying their clutch. Many times if you fail to collect the buried eggs, one will start sitting on them. I find that the gamefowl chickens I've had over the years do this the most.

 

[SunriseChickers]

It's instinct. They bury their eggs to protect them while they are laying their clutch. Many times if you fail to collect the buried eggs, one will start sitting on them. I find that the gamefowl chickens I've had over the years do this the most.

Ah, that makes sense! Thanks!

I'll try the cabbage pinata. Christmas present?

 

[50-45-1]

Back to the subject.

What else could be causing them to bury their eggs?

In there boredom the chickens are scratching around there bedding searching for the feed you throw down and are inadvertantly covering the eggs up.
Chickens do not bury eggs purposly.