Will hoey

[gavclojak]

I just wanted to pick your brains, I usually use auboise but was unable to get it so purchased chicken easy bed, a bit like short straw,....well when I went to put them to bed this evening flora had made her way to the nest box and was picking up the small shards of straw and turning round and popping them

between her feathers on her side/back?

I have never seen them do his before so wondered if there was a reason for it?

[mullethunter]

Ive read that they do that when they're settling into the nest. Perhaps it's normal behaviour that they aren't able to do with their normal bedding?

[gavclojak]

Yes that's what I was thinking...she looked ridiculous with bits of straw poking out like a cheap extension

[Beantree]

That behaviour is usually seen just before they go broody, although that seems unlikely this time of year. Perhaps she is just making a comfortable nest to lay in?

[gavclojak]

That behaviour is usually seen just before they go broody, although that seems unlikely this time of year. Perhaps she is just making a comfortable nest to lay in?

Well she got turfed out! One thing I won't have, as much as I love them is sleeping in the nest box

I have never had a broody, maybe as I only have ex commercial girls...touch wood

[DaisyAndBobby]

I sounds like nesting behaviour to me. This can often be followed quite soon by broodiness, but you might also see hens doing it before laying.

 

Often just before laying, ours stand in the run near their coop picking up sticks and bits of wood chip and placing it behind them over their shoulders. Often they come in and out of the coop carrying the same sticks and bits of wood chip and place them all in the nesting box before settling down to lay their eggs.

 

I find it quite cute to watch.

[Minnie&Moose]

Ours do it (hybrids & purebreds) just before or after laying. They also do it when they're broody.

[Cat tails]

A few of mine do if too just before laying. They fuss a lot in the nest box, rearranging the wood chips here and there and indeed tossing some wood chips on their backs.

[redsunset]

Yup, all broody hens do it! I've turfed some out the past and they continue to do it as if spellbound outside with twigs, bits of grass (when I used to have grass) etc. it's normal behaviour as have seen a hen do it to make her nest box more comfy and to her liking. Nothing to worry about, it's a bit like fluffing our pillows for us or shaking our duvets, they like their comforts too