What does this behavior mean?

[Lunachick]

I have a hen that every once in awhile she will pick up a pine needle or small leaf and toss it over her back. She will do this a few times then stop.

She just returned to egglaying after going through a tough molt. Is this tossing of stuff over her back a nesting type behavior?

Just wondering what it means....

 

[fornese]

so strange, mine Rhodie pullet did the same thing just last week. I was baffled.
Please let me know when you find out!

 

[tim_TX]

My hens toss pine shavings onto their back when they are in the nest box.

 

[Fresh Eggs]

It means that they are TRYING to build a nest to cradle they're eggs, and later babies! Dont worry, it is normal in all bird species.



Fresh Eggs

 

[fornese]

but my girls have no Rooster. Will they still do this?

 

[JennsPeeps]

It's camoflauge for nesting behavior - trying to hide themselves. Not terribly effective, but that's what they're doing!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Normal. It's to do with nesting instincts. But funny to peek in the coop and find a girl on the floor covered in loose shavings.

 

[fornese]

silly chickens. they are such a hoot sometimes.

 

[Lunachick]

Oh, I kinda thought that as i was watching her, and she just went back to egg laying so I figured it HAD to do with something like that. It's awfully cute though, isn't it?


Dang, chickens keep getting cuter and cuter.....

 

[dixiechick]

My dad's chickens started layiing the most unusual eggs...they were covered with tiny white speckles that would flake off??? Was a HUGE mystery--until he found they has snuck into his storage house and feasted on a styrofoam cooler....the specks were tiny bits of styrofoam! Insolated eggs!!!