why do non-broodies tuck eggs under them?

[FrenchHen]

I want a broody.
I want her to hatch me some duckies.

So, when I'm attacked by a hen while gathering eggs, I get hopeful. Austra-raptor wasn't broody, she just hisses and spits when you bug her on the nest.

So I tried a different tactic. I rolled an egg in front of the EE. She tucked it under her wing and purred.

EE wasn't broody either.

Today as a RIR and a Delaware were in the boxes, I gave them each an egg. They both pecked me, and then tucked the egg under them and purred.

WHY are they doing this if they're not broody?

 

[gritsar]

It's just something that comes naturally to them. An example from the human perspective: It's been shown that women when handed a baby will almost always hold the baby on their left side, close to the heart(beat), regardless of whether they've ever had children or not.
I want a broody too. Been wanting one for about two years now. Finally came to the sad realization that I will never get a broody out of my current flock. It's just not in them.

 

[countrygurl]

My hens did the same thing they would sit on it for an hour and then abandon the nest. They tucked in all of the eggs I gave them. I just don't understand why they do that. Sadly a few weeks later they came up with myco plasma and we had to cull all ten of 9 of them: ( so I guess it was for the best.