Covering Eggs

[jdoane]

Just wondering. My one layer ( a 9 month old SLW) has started covering her egg with shavings in the nesting box. This is new - I always used to just find the egg laying there right on top but now have to really look for it. Is she covering them to keep them warm now that it is really cold?

 

[Wyandottes7]

My hens occaisonally cover their eggs with shavings, throughout the year, even in the summer. I doubt that she's doing it to prevent the egg from getting cold. More likely, she's spending more time in the hen house and nest box because of the cold, and is kicking shavings onto the egg.

 

[jdoane]

My hens occaisonally cover their eggs with shavings, throughout the year, even in the summer. I doubt that she's doing it to prevent the egg from getting cold. More likely, she's spending more time in the hen house and nest box because of the cold, and is kicking shavings onto the egg.

That makes much better sense!

 

[1muttsfan]

Do you have other young birds near lay? If so they may be scratching around in the nestbox, preparatory to laying their own eggs.

 

[jdoane]

Do you have other young birds near lay? If so they may be scratching around in the nestbox, preparatory to laying their own eggs.

Yes I have two other that look ready to lay. I was wondering about that too!