Hen throwing leaves on her own back?

[wayward]

I have a small EE hen named Pidgy. These past couple days, after leaving the nesting box she starts picking up dried leaves and feathers off the ground and proceeds to toss them over her shoulder onto her back. What's that about?

 

[akelley]

It's a nesting behavior. My girls do it while they're in the nest box, and some do it after they lay, too.

 

[wayward]

Is there any reason for this? I've just never seen any of my hens do it before. I think its funny.

 

[realsis]

All my girls do it when laying. In fact I know they are laying when I see them throw shavings on their shoulders. It is nesting behavior. Perfectly normal.

 

[chickenlver2013]

Is there any reason for this? I've just never seen any of my hens do it before. I think its funny.

hens do this in the wild. The reason they do this is to camouflage them selves from predators when they're laying eggs.

 

[divediva]

This is so cool. I literally only saw my girls do this today and they both did it. everyday is a school day. Thanks guys for the info

 

[aart]

everyday is a school day

Ha!! I love this...so true!