Why do my chickens put bedding on their backs?

[Jesseschickens]

I always wondered why they did that too! then my mom told me that they do it to hide there pretty eggs.

 

[JaelD]

The first time I noticed this behavior was from a momma hen while she was dusting. She pulled feathers from other hens and ducks, grass, and debris she could reach and put it on her chest and back as she dusted. Later I noticed a pullet/hen (also 30 weeks) doing the same while she was sitting in her preferred egg-laying spot high on a shelf. Camouflage makes since but it seems to be a device of protection during any vulnerable activity.

 

[TerrytheMarsRover]

One of my girls, Mabelline, sits in the nest box for an HOUR before laying an egg. I swear, I think she relocates every piece of pine shaving until it is exactly the way she wants it. This morning, she had two girls waiting in line to use the nest box, but she was patient, making the nest to her liking. Isn't it sweet?

Same! My oldest hen, Sto, did that when she was molting. I was handing her the pine from her nest and she would take it and put it on her back. I sat there for about half an hour with her since I was bored.