My four hens are about twenty weeks old, not laying yet. Several times this past week I've seen them doing a strange new trick that I can't figure out. They'll lie in the mulch of a flower garden by the house, puff up their neck feathers, and lopsidedly stretch out one wing. They don't stay like that more than a few minutes- they keep sort of nuzzling each other's extended wing, causing the bird to stand up, take a couple steps, and lie back down to do it again, like they were taking turns.
At first I thought maybe it was a temperature regulation thing, but both days I've seen them do this it's not been hot or cold. I've only seen them do this in the one mulched garden, in the sun. Usually my hens stick to the shade.
To my inexperienced eye, it looks like they're nesting and shielding a flock of imaginary chicks under their wing. Perhaps someone who knows better could give me a more realistic answer for what on earth my hens are up to?
Update: The consensus seems to be my feathered friends are taking a well-earned sunbath. Thanks so much for everyone's input!
At first I thought maybe it was a temperature regulation thing, but both days I've seen them do this it's not been hot or cold. I've only seen them do this in the one mulched garden, in the sun. Usually my hens stick to the shade.
To my inexperienced eye, it looks like they're nesting and shielding a flock of imaginary chicks under their wing. Perhaps someone who knows better could give me a more realistic answer for what on earth my hens are up to?
Update: The consensus seems to be my feathered friends are taking a well-earned sunbath. Thanks so much for everyone's input!
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