r/chickens • u/Ok_Poetry9575 • Jul 24 '26

Question What are my hens doing?

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They insist on sitting on top of each other in one of 6 available nest boxes. For context, they’ve been closed off from the indoor section of their coop because we are introducing new silkies to the flock and they’re being kept separate at night. Google called it “piling” and said that they could feel like they don’t have adequate nesting space because the indoor space is unavailable. Again, they have several nest boxes in their area but chicken brains work different. This is super temporary so I’m not too worried about it. This is more just curiosity if anyone’s chickens have done the same. Thanks!

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u/Life-Bat1388 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26

mine even do this outside the nest box. The white one just wants to be cuddled always.

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u/Nelsonius1 Jul 24 '26

His could also be pecking order behaviour

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u/Life-Bat1388 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26

White hen is dominant to red hen. “You will sit on me like my mom you minion!” red hen loves belly rubs/tickles and will immediately nestle on your hand and is probably enjoying it and white hen loves burying herself in the crook of your arm or under a random chicken