Hi All,

 

Just wondering if anyone can shed any light on what this silly hen might be doing Shes grabbing beakfuls of seed and depositing them underneath the seed dish, by the end of the day the dish is completely empty. She's in a breeding cabinet size quarantine cage at the moment. Could she just be bored, or is it some strange nest preparation behaviour (the seed dish is just a generic plastic open top one that fits in the little door of the cage...) :mellow:

 

Thanks,

SJW

That is an odd one.

Perhaps she is pretending the seed dish is a nest box and emptying out the content. Hens often take beakfulls of nesting materials and poop out of the box and deposit it on the floor.

Edited August 18, 200816 yr by **Liv**
typo

Sounds like you hit the nail on the head liv... that's the only thing I think i'd be able to put it down to also :S

it sounds funny... sorry... I agree, it sounds like nesting behaviour. I guess you could use a different seed dish if it worries you. If you are planning on breeding her, maybe let it be, if not maybe change the dish?!?! Good luck and let us know how you go.

YEP YEP... Nesting Behaviour ....

 

Can you post a picture of your setup ????

I totally agree with Liv

Can you post a picture of your setup ????

 

It's just a standard style pet shop cage, big door in the centre, a small door on either side for seed and water dishes..... There's not really anything else in there, as it is only a temporary setup.... :mellow:

Perhaps the cage is too small and she's dispaying anxious behaviour ??

What're the measurements?

Some hens are scatterbrained by nature -

Is she an adult? do you know her age?? She might have had previous issues when breeding??? Or perhaps she is ready to breed and wanting to nest.

I think i know whats happening. I have a hen that does the exact same thing in my avairy. The hen is just pretending that the bowl is a nest and my bird emptys it and then sits in it. if you put that bird somewere were there is a box vacant for her she will stop this behaviour. well thats what mine does.

 

best of luck with your cluky hen lol

 

regards Joel

I think i know whats happening. I have a hen that does the exact same thing in my avairy. The hen is just pretending that the bowl is a nest and my bird emptys it and then sits in it. if you put that bird somewere were there is a box vacant for her she will stop this behaviour. well thats what mine does.

 

best of luck with your cluky hen lol

 

regards Joel

Liv has already suggested that this is nesting behaviour but putting the bird ( who is in QUARANTINE right now ) in a cage with nestbox is NOT a solution.

I think i know whats happening. I have a hen that does the exact same thing in my avairy. The hen is just pretending that the bowl is a nest and my bird emptys it and then sits in it. if you put that bird somewere were there is a box vacant for her she will stop this behaviour. well thats what mine does.

 

best of luck with your cluky hen lol

 

regards Joel

Liv has already suggested that this is nesting behaviour but putting the bird ( who is in QUARANTINE right now ) in a cage with nestbox is NOT a solution.

 

well thats what i do with mine but i forgot it is in quarentine.

sorry

I think i know whats happening. I have a hen that does the exact same thing in my avairy. The hen is just pretending that the bowl is a nest and my bird emptys it and then sits in it. if you put that bird somewere were there is a box vacant for her she will stop this behaviour. well thats what mine does.

 

best of luck with your cluky hen lol

 

regards Joel

Liv has already suggested that this is nesting behaviour but putting the bird ( who is in QUARANTINE right now ) in a cage with nestbox is NOT a solution.

 

well thats what i do with mine but i forgot it is in quarentine.

sorry

Before you give advice it is best to be INFORMED on the question and facts related to the topic.