LunaKiw1 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Why do chooks toss straw over their backs? I know it is connected with laying an egg and we've had some who've done it after laying - although not all have done so. It can't be copied behaviour as one of our newbies did it today before she laid her 2nd-ever egg and neither of our other two are straw-"Ooops, word censored!"s. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 It is a nest arrangement thing I think LunaKiw1. It doesn't mean they are going broody though, in my experience, as I can't recollect consciously linking the two actions. We have several that do it when I open the nest box whilst they are in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thechickenwhisperer Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I was thinking the exact same thing today. Thought they were trying to stick it in their tail feathers for show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I had an ex bat that used to do this. As said I think its nesting behaviour. She had only been free a day when she started to do this. It was lovely to watch her express natural behaviour, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claireabella Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Oh, yes its nesting behaviour. It's so sweet, I love watching them tossing bits of straw and twigs over their shoulder My Bluebell always does it when she has just layed an egg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaKiw1 Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 I love it too - such careless abandon! I like the suggestion they might be trying to stick the piece of straw/twig into their tail for decoration though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
