Flock behavior when a member lays an egg

[SLA]

Four out of our eight 17 week old pullets have started laying eggs. We’ve noticed that a couple of the girls make a fuss when we’ve removed an egg from the nest box. They go into the coop, look in a nesting box, come back to the ramp, then repeat, the whole time “buh, buh, buk.“We’re pretty sure that one of the “fussers” isn’t one of the egg layers. Is it common that the laying of eggs is a somewhat communal event?

 

[nuthatched]

Yep. "Midwife'/cheerleader chickens are common. I have 3 of the suckers.

 

[sourland]

Some birds do 'celebrate' the production of flock mates.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, Dumpling, the Light Brahma, announces ALL the eggs -- even on days she doesn't lay.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

My chickens all do a chorus of egg songs... hearing 13 chickens start bok boking at the top of their lungs sometimes gets me worried... especially my GLW who makes the weirdest sounds. But it's always just an egg song!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Egg laying in general is a noisy ruckus. Especially afterwards. Most birds carry on a bit. Younger birds who have just started laying can be even more vocal.

 

[aart]

New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Yes, Dumpling, the Light Brahma, announces ALL the eggs -- even on days she doesn't lay.

My light brahma does the same thing she can be out in the yard and one of the other ladies lays and starts singing and she busts out her song in the middle of the yard

 

[SLA]

New layers can be quite goofy acting, they don't know what they are doing at first and can be confused and anxious, it can take up to a month or so before they get it all figured out. Putting some fake eggs or golf balls in the nest might help show them where to lay. They may scratch around in the nests for weeks before laying, spreading the bedding everywhere. They will scratch around a bit less in nest as they get used to the routine. Meanwhile, eggs everywhere, some of them can be rather funky looking, soft or thin shelled, huge double yolked eggs.

We’ve been lucky, so far. Every egg, so far, has been perfect, although small. Our first two were double-yoked, though, but still tasty. I have gotten a kick out of how one particular girl fusses when we take an egg from the nesting box. She’s in the run when it’s taken, but immediately goes up the coop ramp fussing.