4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[smanners]

Our broody hen has started exibiting some very odd behaviours

She has shown no inclination to move herself since sitting tight on her eggs so we have to move her once or twice daily.

She has a quick snack and will only drink from a water puddle we have to make for her, not from her usual water dish

Then there's a mad rush for a quick dust bath , before wiping her beak obsessively on the grass for several mins:eh:

Just before returning to the eglu she completes several backwards moonwalks (about 4 yards each time) and then has a poo

All this takes 10-15 mins and she rushes back to her nest.

Does anyone know why she walks backwards like this? Is it to stimulate her bowels to work?

The kids find it very amusing to watch but I'm intrigued as to why this happens.

[Patricia W]

she sounds broody to me - and they can do odd things....

[southernchicken]

You should try and capture this odd behavior on camera and post a link, it sounds hillarious