betty Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Hi Had a peep at our gingernut whilst she was in the eglu this morning and noticed she was picking up bits of hemcore and flinging them over her shoulder. Is this significant or was she just tidying her bedroom? She was also sitting on the nest for a while but there was no egg (she hasn't laid a decent egg in ages). She definitely seems to be getting ready for something. Liz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 That is classic nest building behaviour - expect an egg real soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 She is becoming broody! See broody hen? post below. Babs was picking up straw and sticks today and taking them to the nest box, bless! According to advice on here, they don't lay when broody so there are ways to snap her out of it. best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I'm confused now Cinnamon! Who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Christian ! Mine do the chucking over the shoulder thing when they are about to lay,or are laying I might just have freaky hens of course Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I did notice that Shirley was doing this just before she laid her first egg, but Babs only started this weird behaviour 2 days ago. I'm sure your girls aren't freaky its probably mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 I think we need a second opinion....anyone????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 All I can add is that I saw my original omlet girls do this at about the time they came into lay. Can't really remember the two I added in November doing this but maybe because Ella was very terratorial about 'her' nest box so a case of quickly in, do the job and out again before bad Ella chased them out again So my vote is for your gingernut coming back into lay - but then again I'm no expert Hope this is the reason and she lays you an egg soon. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 My lot do it all the time...............22 eggs last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 That is classic nest building behaviour - expect an egg real soon That was my first thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 Yep my money is on coming back into lay. Our Cluck did it the first few times she laid an egg. Its hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 13, 2007 Share Posted March 13, 2007 That is classic nest building behaviour - expect an egg real soon That was my first thought Well I live in hope that Babs will stop brooding and start laying again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Maybe it depends on the chicken? In the wild laying and broodiness would go together wouldn't they, so maybe there's a hint of broodiness in most chickens. 3 of mine go in and lay, do the job and get out again, but Bella will happily sit on anyones eggs as long as they're in the nest box. And she likes to make the bed (seems to make more mess than tidy though ). As soon as the eggs are removed she trots off again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 was she just tidying her bedroom? This conjured up such a funny mental image! I agree...she is working up to laying an egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Just to add, it's either! Yes, it is classic egg laying behaviour, but, it is also classic broody behaviour! Time will tell. It sounds promising that she is preparing a nest for laying eggs. But, if anyone has a hen who persistantly does this, then won't come off the nest (but allow at least an hour or so for laying before jumping to conclusions), perhaps puffs up in the nestbox & barks if you touch her, then she's going broody. Then is the time to read up about whether you want to take action. Meanwhile, do let us know if she lays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Mine do this after they have laid, which seems a bit backward to me However, they have always done it so i'm not worried about them going broody and they are prolififc layers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted March 15, 2007 Share Posted March 15, 2007 Yes, I occasionally see this afterwards too. Strange things chickens, who could predict a Winter moult I agree with what Shelia said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
