why is she doing this?

[Sandrachx]

my buff orpington is picking up little sticks and leaves and trying to throw them on her back. why? she is 6 months old and just started laying. she was in the nesting box when i went in to check for eggs. when she saw me, she jumped out of the box, followed me out of the pen and then started doing the stick thing.

 

[Sandrachx]

oh - also, she is one of triplets i got in april. one of the girls (not sure which one - triplets are hard to tell apart) squats down, spreads her wings and freezes when i bend down and reach for her. does she think i'm a rooster?

 

[chickenbottom]

3 of my girls did this right before they went broody. sooo im guessing shes either gathering the twigs and leaves for her nest

 

[chickenbottom]

Quote:
lol shes just in a submissive position and ready for mating. if this one isnt laying then she will be soon

 

[chicks4kids]

My hens do the throwing of the nesting material on their backs too sometimes when they're sitting in the nest box getting ready to lay...I think it's just one of those things that they do.