Fake Eggs in Nesting Boxes-- Good Idea, Nah, or Meh?

[Bawkbok]

I still wonder why of the four nest boxes available to them, all eight of the girls almost always lay in the same left-front box.

Because it's their favorite.

We have 3 nest boxes for four chickens and they all like the same nest. If it's occupied when someone else has to lay an egg she will squawk and protest loudly until the nest becomes available, then she'll go and lay her egg. I've seen her delay laying and stress squawk in and out of the coop for an hour one day until "her" nest was available.

Chickens are goofy sometimes. The whole nesting thing has never made sense to me.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The whole nesting thing has never made sense to me.

Well, that's because you are not a chicken, obviously. My chickens tell me the whole jackets and shoes things make absolutely no sense to them, either. I told them we will just have to agree to disagree and they asked if they could have worms with that.

 

[Bawkbok]

Well, that's because you are not a chicken, obviously. My chickens tell me the whole jackets and shoes things make absolutely no sense to them, either. I told them we will just have to agree to disagree and they asked if they could have worms with that.

I have one who HATES one particular over shirt I wear sometimes, it's blue plaid and when I wear it she always pecks at me like she's attacking the squares and she tries to tear off the buttons. Only that shirt; it's odd. I confess that sometimes I wear it just to get a reaction from her....

 

[Winston1]

too funny...my gals go after my diamond ring and any spots on my black sweatpants...I feel like it gives them something to do and they love it

 

[Tired old Rooster]

Do you have a source for that? My understanding is that it's a call for an escort back to the group once they're done laying. That's why in a mixed flock it will be (one of) the male bird(s) who respond to the call.

I don't have one I can link to. I do vaguely recall having read something to that effect at some point.
I concede that it is possible that the primary reason for it, is to let everyone know where exactly an egg has been laid, while it could have a secondary function of calling for an escort back to the flock.

My observations:
When they are confined in the run, they often sing the song, despite being right next to Galoot, so he hardly needs to fetch them. This usually includes the rest of the hens and Galoot joining in the chorus.

While I have them out ranging, they will nip back to the run, lay an egg and quite often make their way back to the flock, singing the egg song on the way, again sometimes the whole flock joining the chorus.

There is a particular call I have seen them make, when they seem to want to join the flock, but can't see where they are. That call will result in Galoot popping over to guide them to the flock.