Funny behavior when laying?

[yodelinginca]

Y'all, this makes me laugh every time. When I catch my Golden Sexlink hen in the laying box, she's always picking up pine shavings & dropping them on her back. Any idea why? (Also, the look she gives me is equivalent to when you forget to lock the bathroom door & somebody barges in)...

 

[chrissynemetz]

Lol I have an Easter Egger who does the same thing. It's too cute!

 

[NatJ]

I think they're trying to re-arrange the bedding to make a better nest, but doing a bad job of it.

 

[Henry&Friends]

She’s making the nest better... by adding a blanket! You could at least knock first!

 

[janiedoe]

My ee rooster does that. He sits in the nest and calls the hens while tossing pine shavings. The hens like to groom him and remove the pine from his feathers. Better than t.v.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I think they're trying to re-arrange the bedding to make a better nest, but doing a bad job of it.

Agree. Instinctive behavior.

 

[Diana_burns04]

Y'all, this makes me laugh every time. When I catch my Golden Sexlink hen in the laying box, she's always picking up pine shavings & dropping them on her back. Any idea why? (Also, the look she gives me is equivalent to when you forget to lock the bathroom door & somebody barges in)...

Mine did that too!! That is so she can protect her egg!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

The best guess is it is some sort of attempt to camouflage themselves while laying.

I've had birds come out of the nest box and wander the run still balancing twigs and bedding on their backs.

 

[chrissynemetz]

@rosemarythyme I agree, I think they're trying to camouflage themselves. It's funny to watch mine carefully place each piece of bedding on her back, making sure none fall off while she gathers more.