Odd behavior

[rick]

This morning I saw Browny doing a strange thing. There were a few small sticks, about 4-5 inches long on the ground and she went along picking them up and poking herself in the side before dropping that one and picking up the next!
Has anyone seen a chicken do that? I know some birds use tools like stones to break open snails etc. But why poke yourself with a stick when you could easily reach the place with your beak?
Crazy birds!

 

[chrismahon]

That is instinctive nesting behaviour Rick. What she is doing is trying to place them on her back so they fall to the sides around her creating a nest. She will be broody tomorrow if I am right.

 

[rick]

Well there you go! She has always been the most motherly of the bunch. Should I give her a fake egg to sit on for a few days? Then again they are on a weeks course of wormer (day 2) and she might not eat so well if she's sitting on eggs?

 

[chrismahon]

I wouldn't encourage broodiness Rick, just hope she finishes the wormer.

 

[rick]

Thanks, it sounded silly after I'd posted it. She sometimes finds an egg shaped stone in the garden and sits on it purring

 

[Lucylou]

Ah, how cute, she sounds lovely.