Usually, chickens are seen sitting on the egg and going through a process called incubation, but they also tend to move the eggs from one nesting box to the other. While they brood on the eggs, to keep them safe and warm, the chickens tend to move the eggs.
So, let’s get to know why chickens tend to move the eggs and how they do it.
Why Do Chickens Move Eggs?
The two most common reasons why a chicken moves their eggs are –
- She wants to protect the eggs and ensure that body heat is equally distributed during the incubation period. A warm and cozy environment would ensure that the eggs go through a proper development phase.
- If a chicken feels that the nesting box is not safe or there is a threat from a predator, then she tends to move the eggs but there is a limit in the shifting distance.
Normally, they leave the nesting location which is not safe, and tend to find a new one.
How Does a Chicken Move the Eggs?
The chicken gently glides the egg using their beak and moves the eggs from one place to another. Basically, there is no specialized equipment used by the chickens for the shifting purpose. They also cannot use their wings to hand-pick the eggs and move them. Other than this, you might notice that the chicken is reshuffling the position of the eggs, i.e. the ones at the edge are moved to the center, and the centered eggs are moved to the edges. The chickens might repeat this quite often until all the eggs are hatched.
Can Chickens Pick Up the Eggs?
This is a debatable question as no exact proof has been found. Some chicken coop owners report that they had seen the hens move the eggs by picking up the egg, tucking them in their wings, and then shifting to a new nesting box. Others report that chickens carry the egg under the chin, where the egg is held tight using the beak, and neck muscles and keeping it close to the chest.
Basically, a chicken tries its best to move the egg from one place to another as safely as possible, but due to their appendages, and limited ability to lift and carry an egg, most of the time shifting is not possible. Thus, a chicken will try to tap, nudge, and drag the eggs to the utmost possibility.
Why Must You Understand the Nesting Behavior of Chickens?
Understanding the nesting behavior of the chickens is essential as it maintains a healthy group and also provides successful egg production.
How do Chickens know Where to Place the Eggs?
Chickens have a definite instinct that tells them where to lay the egg in a safe and quiet space. The nesting box should be clean and a few inches off the ground.
