strange behavior

The Classroom @ The Coop: Poultry Management: strange behavior
By Megopolis on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 03:12 pm:

I have a Rhode Island Red hen and yesterday I noticed her doing something strange. She would pick up small sticks and leaves from the ground and throw them on her back one at a time and then shake them off. Has anyone seen this type of behavior before and if so, what was it? Thanks.

By Cjeanr on Sunday, February 17, 2002 - 04:20 pm:

Meg. I believe it is a kind of nest building action. More often it is in the nest and tossing straw over the back--perhaps a way of making the nest higher around the hen and a good cradle for the eggs. Hens ready to set often do this. If she only does this when she is out and about, it may be related to dust bathing--that is, a stimulus to shaking out the feathers. CJR

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