Guard Hens?

[hensdeliverthegoods]

I've noticed a behavior with my laying hens that I'm curious to know if anyone else sees it. When one of my girls is in the nest laying her egg, another one will stand in front of her on the ledge. The hen on the ledge is always facing out, and will usually only get down when the other one is finished laying. So you think she's guarding her "sister", or just waiting her turn? Whatever it may be, it's cute as heck to watch.

 

[raindrop]

I've seen this before too. I think they are waiting their turn as I often find the "guard" chicken in the same box a little later. It seems as though no matter how many nice nest boxes we built, they only want to use 1 or 2.

 

[wynedot55]

mostly they are waiting her to lay her egg.an get off the nest so they can lay their egg.