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  • Hen mystery

    I wonder if you can help with a bit of a mystery. A friend of mine who keeps chickens saw one of her chickens collecting sticks and placing them on her back. She has no idea what prompted this or what the reason for it was. Has any body else observed something similar? It's got us intrigued

  • #2
    Mine do similar when they're laying, I presume they are trying to put the straw behind her.. not seen them do it when they're out and about mind.

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    • #3
      Hi Amanda,
      I have seen this with 2 of my hens............who then went broody!!
      Could this be their hormones revving up the nesting instinct in ready-ness for broody-ness?

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      • #4
        Yes, it's very common, don't worry! I suspect it's all part of their nesting instinct. One of my youngsters came out of a nest-box the other day, and started picking up bits and pieces off the floor and putting them on her back as she walked across the pen - just a little confused, I think! LOL
        All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
        Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Mrs Twigg View Post
          Hi Amanda,
          I have seen this with 2 of my hens............who then went broody!!
          Could this be their hormones revving up the nesting instinct in ready-ness for broody-ness?
          Good grief, please don't say that!

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          • #6
            One of my girls has collected not only straw but a sheet of sandpaper, a gardening glove,several pieces of paper and a wooden mallet!! to make a nest with. I've removed the mallet and the sandpaper and left her the rest!

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Polly Fouracre View Post
              One of my girls has collected not only straw but a sheet of sandpaper, a gardening glove,several pieces of paper and a wooden mallet!! to make a nest with. I've removed the mallet and the sandpaper and left her the rest!

              Are you sure she is a hen and not a magpie!!
              Last edited by Nicos; 18-02-2011, 11:10 AM.

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              • #8
                I lost a set of keys on the allotment the other day - better go and look for them in the nesting box!

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                • #9
                  My friend had a love bird that used to shred off bits of the edge of a newspaper and throw the spills over her back. She found it less funny when she let the bird out and went off elsewhere in the house to return and find that the top edge of the books on the top bookshelf were shredded!
                  Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                  www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Mrs Twigg View Post
                    Are you sure she is a hen and not a magpie!!
                    Went into the workshop this morning and found she has, with I'm sure a defiant look in her eye, rolled a small log against the side of her nest and pinched the other glove. I'll leave her to it!

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