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

[FoxFighters]

I have noticed my chickens doing a funny thing when they get off the nesting box (whether they've laid an egg or not)

They pick up long bits of twig, grass, straw, whatever they can get, and sort of throw it behind them over their shoulders?

I'm not at all worried, and it seems like a natural thing for them to be doing, but I just wondered why??????

Are they getting broody????

 

Love to all

[Ygerna]

Mine do it too. I think they get all proud and 'ooh, look at me, I've laid an egg'

[Barkisland]

I believe this is instinctive 'nesting' behaviour.

[The Dogmother]

I believe this is instinctive 'nesting' behaviour.

 

And you're quite right!

[meezers]

Maybe it's a throwback to their jungle days - perhaps they covered their eggs after laying ?? but then why they'd start yelling to all and sundry 'hey, I've layed an egg' I've no idea