egg laying dedication

[poultrygeist]

Two of the girls came in from their romp outdoors to lay. This is our first two egg day since the first one on 1/27/10. Can someone tell me why Rhoda our Rhode Island red puts pine shavings on her back while laying.

 

[LynneP]

They like privacy but at the same time they like to show you how 'demure' they are. Many of my girls do this, they are bashful when in the nesting box...

 

[poultrygeist]

We've been watching them in the nest boxes with our Summer video monitor

 

[gocrow77]

Mine do that too with straw or whatever nesting material is in their boxes. I think they are just rearranging things to suit them. Some of my girls get elaborate with it; others just fling bedding around as they settle in to lay.

 

[CTChickenMom]

I have a community nest box as opposed to individual boxes. It's dark and quiet in there and about 5 at a time can use it. The top lifts up. I'd love to get a cam in there to watch them laying! My little spangled Hamburg roo has used it a couple times too, to run from my Brahma boys!

 

[Wynette]

I've often wondered that same thing, and have personally decided that long ago when they were wild, they did this to cover themselves up...sort of hide under what they're putting on their backs, to blend in with the existing foliage so they're not caught at an inoportune time & become some 4-legged mammal's supper.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Either that or it's just cuz chickens are weird.

 

[poultrygeist]

I believe Wynette has something there, except only one in six does this!