Is she bossy, broody, confused, or just have her nose out of joint?

[Mtn Laurel]

I'm new to keeping chickens and have had my 3 girls about 2 months. Lucy, my RSL, came to me at less than a year old, a consistent daily layer of huge eggs, and she is most definitely the "leader of the pack". My other two girls are BSL pullets. One began laying about 3 weeks ago. The other began 3 days ago.

Lucy has been a great layer since day #1. She would be on that nest at 7:30 AM sharp - lay her egg - hop out and be about her own business. Things have suddenly and drastically changed since the other two began laying and especially the last 3 days, since the second gal began to lay.

Now Lucy gets on the nest as usual, lays her egg, and then leaves . . . UNTIL one of the other girls decides to lay. Of course, they all want the same nest. So, Lucy runs back in and sits on it! I found Lucy and one of the BSL's in the nest together, Lucy having already laid her egg - then left the coop and returned - and the poor BSL desperately trying to lay hers.

This morning I found Lucy going back to the nest, hopping in and standing over the eggs the minute the BSL leaves the nest. Not only that, she's begun to sing the Egg Song for all three of them. Three times this morning I've heard Lucy singing her heart out! I even went out and checked to see which one was making all the noise. Lucy!

Is this a territory issue? A dominance type of thing? Maybe Lucy is confused with the sudden addition of other eggs or possibly thinking about going broody?

 

[Judy]

It's more like normal egg laying behavior, and perhaps protecting the egg. If she goes broody, she should sit in the nest essentially 24/7, sort of in a trance, and growl and fluff up if interrupted. I wouldn't worry about it; they will probably get it sorted out in time. They may always use the same nest, though.

 

[dainerra]

do you have more than 1 nest? Even though it's normal for them to all share, even all trying to fit in at the same time, it's still best to have multiple options. Sounds like Lucy is saying "this is MY safe spot for my eggs. Go find your own" She may decide that she doesn't mind sharing; she may always be selfish. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[mickey328]

I'm assuming you have 2 nesting boxes? Maybe try putting a "pretend" egg in the other...that might encourage the lower status girls to use it and leave the other to Lucy.

Gabby is our dominant hen and she seems to prefer laying on the floor, altho she'll go in the box for a bit. When she's ready to lay, she scratches all the bedding away so she has bare floor and there she squats, LOL. If there's another egg, she'll roll it close, altho she shows no inclination to sit on them, and doesn't object when we remove them...as long as we don't use our left hands...she sees the gleam of a wedding ring and thinks it's something to eat!

I agree with Judy...doesn't seem to be anything to get worried about...with the younger ones just starting they're probably still a bit unsure of it all, and trying to emulate Lucy. They'll most likely sort it out pretty quickly.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Yes, two nesting boxes that are identical and sit next to each other. While Lucy won't share, the other two refuse to use the other nest. Yet, they don't like the way Lucy "keeps house" as I found the newest layer frantically rearranging the nest straw. It was really funny - she was standing outside the nesting box and was throwing little bits of straw over her shoulder into the nest. Kinda' like she was fluffing it up. I've also found a pseudo-nest made by one of the BSL's where they have gathered straw into a corner of the coop.

Glad it's nothing to worry about. As I'm new to chickens, I wasn't sure what all this hullabaloo was about. She has been acting like a mother to them - calls them to come to the coop in the evening if she's ready for bed and they're still out, things of that nature. I hope she's just showing the two teenagers the ropes.

Oh, and I will try the pretend egg, maybe that will encourage the BSL's to use the other nest. Thanks!

 

[mickey328]

Sounds familiar...the two that do use the box can't seem to agree on how it should be. One gets in and picks up straw to put in it...specific pieces, mind you...not every one she picks up. The other gets in and scratches it all out. LOL...silly birds