hen picking grass and putting on her back

[Rooster Cogburn]

Quote:
I think you're right, it's all about camouflage.

 

[rjking777]

I too believe it is for camouflage because I followed one of my hens to the edge of the lawn into the "woods" and she laid down in the tall weeds/grass/twigs next to a fallen branch, picked weeds and set them on her back then promptly layed an egg.

 

[justin24]

my hen did three weeks ago before she started sitting

 

[Chocobo]

It's how they build nests in the wild. They put litter on their backs and go to their nest and shake it off. Soon there is a bowl shaped nest. Much more efficient then carrying back one piece at a time.

 

[PtldChick]

Quote:
Really? Or are you just pulling our legs?

 

[Chocobo]

Quote:
Really? Or are you just pulling our legs?

Totally serious. Read about it in a paper on chicken behavior. I'll see if I can find a link.

UPDATE: I don't think this was where I initially found the info but it says the same thing:
http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_facts/Chickens.htm