Corn in Nesting Box?

[Armstrt8]

Hello all! Anyone know why one (or more) of they girls are moving corn to their nesting box?

Still in my first year with our backyard flock. Have 3 that have been laying in a particular box for a couple months now. 6 others are approx 17 weeks. Couple weeks ago I introduced whole corn to their pellet feed. They appear to throw the corn around the run and scratch/eat it layer rather than with food. Cleaned the coop and realized there was a stash of 30 or so pieces of corn in the 1 box they are laying in (none in boxes they arent). Cleaned coop and immediately today one of the rascals moved about a dozen kernels in there. Any ideas?!? Do they think they are tiny eggs?? Haha

 

[azygous]

I have never heard of chickens moving their food from one place to another, hoarding. The way they are built is to consume food immediately upon finding it, stuffing their crops as full as they can stand.

However, if you were to place a mouse trap in that nest where you found the stash of corn, I bet you'd find a mouse in it in the morning.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I agree. Mice or rats will pile feed.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Welcome to BYC @Armstrt8

 

[chrissynemetz]

Umm... I've never seen chickens do that before?
I always say chickens can be so weird.

 

[Skippersnh]

Mice my friend

 

[rosemarythyme]

I also think it's rodents doing it. If you actually catch a chicken doing it, I'd say that'd be highly unusual.

 

[Armstrt8]

THANKS ALL!

I am going to snag a small pair of binocs today and spy spy spy, haha. I can see in there, but just not close enough to see who the culprit it.
On that same note.... I have notice feed EVERYWHERE..??? Yesterday I filled up my container (5 gal or so size?) and this morning (9 chickens) it is about 1/5th full but nearly all of the missing amount is just scattered on the ground. I scooped it up and it was nearly all there. Like something is throwing the food everywhere.... I had squirrels for a couple days, but I found the whole and they are stopped (confidently).

 

[aart]

I have never heard of chickens moving their food from one place to another, hoarding. The way they are built is to consume food immediately upon finding it, stuffing their crops as full as they can stand.

However, if you were to place a mouse trap in that nest where you found the stash of corn, I bet you'd find a mouse in it in the morning.

Just make sure the chickens can't get into the nest while the trap is set
I know, stating the obvious, but still....
Some 1" mesh should allow mice but not chickens thru.

Oh, and if you look closely, I'll bet you'll find some tiny black mouse poops in there too.

 

[Armstrt8]

HMMM! I also just realized when I put the corn in I moved the feed container. It was independently suspended in the middle-ish before off the ground and I moved it over and its now touching a 4x4beam which the mice could run up to access it. HMMM! Wish I just came and asked a few days ago!