Is This Broody Behavior?

[MesMama]

Forgive my newness here, probably not using the correct verbage, but I've noticed little "nests" with no eggs, some are under the nesting boxes, one other was under the roost and another in a nesting box. Is that broodiness or are they trying to lay? Is it something else? Thanks

 

[MesMama]

Oh and also, there was one hen laying down while the others were pecking around eating etc. She got up a couple times while I was in there watching and joined in on the cabbage leaf eating, so I'm not concerned about her I was just wondering what she's doing Maybe she's just resting LOL! IDK, like I said total newbie! Trying to learn chicken behavior

 

[thechxwhisperer]

Hi! and

I assume thata your hens are trying to take dustbathes! They dig in the dirt and fluffup their wings, roll around, and fling dirt EVERYWHERE!\

Here is an example

 

[MesMama]

That could be! So even the perfect little nest looking things could just be them taking dust baths? Or wood chip/straw baths in my case I just got them yesterday from a gal who was rehoming her flock so I am keeping them in the coop for now. So, they will take a bath in whatever is there then?

And the one hen that was just laying there looked like she was sitting on nest, you know? She wasn't rolling around and flinging stuff, she was just chillin

 

[MesMama]

And I guess I have seen my moms hens take dustbaths, now that I think of it. Your pic is what hers were doing and I thought what in the world? LOL

 

[thechxwhisperer]

Well the holes in the coop are probably nesting areas. The hens may be uncomfortable in their nesting boxes or don't know where to lay. I usually put a golf ball or two in the boxes to show them where to lay

 

[MesMama]

Oooo good idea! I'll do that! And I do know one of them is sitting in the boxes at least because she made a nest in one of them and when I opened the door to the coop she was in there, but no eggs. And I know that they may not lay much with the change in locations, I guess I was just surprised that one had sat in there like that but didn't lay anything?

 

[MesMama]

Is it normal for them to nest like that and not lay? I guess that's my question LOL

 

[thechxwhisperer]

Well, how long have you had the hens? Also, hens like to be in a dark and enclosed area when they lay, and they get stressed out and may not lay if they are bothered.

 

[MesMama]

I just got them yesterday