We've seen broody hens do some truly ridiculous things, but this stick-carrying delivery service might be the most egg-citing new career path we've heard of yet. Our official take? This hen isn't confused, she's improvising, and we're here for every fowl-play moment of it.
When ColoradoCattleCo's hen gets kicked off the nest, she doesn't sulk. Instead, she picks up small sticks and tries, usually unsuccessfully, to balance them on her own back. It's a scene that sits somewhere between a comedy sketch and a genuine mystery of chicken psychology. We've seen tough cluckers before, like the resilient bird in our Beakless but still eating: our feathered friend is one tough clucker story, and we've watched hens get booted off imaginary eggs in When your nest is in fowl play: getting booted off imaginary eggs. But this stick-on-back routine feels like a whole new level of feathered determination.
What does this mean for the rest of us who share our lives with chickens? First, it's a reminder that broody behavior isn't always textbook. Some hens go full puffed-up-and-hissy, but others channel their maternal instincts into weird, almost artistic projects. The stick-carrying might be a displaced nesting drive, she wants to build a cozy spot, so she grabs whatever material is handy, even if it's herself she's trying to decorate. It's not efficient, but it's sincere, and that's the kind of vulnerability we can all relate to. The takeaway here is simple: if your hen starts acting like a tiny, feathery landscaper, don't panic. Watch, laugh, and maybe snap a photo for the community, because chances are someone else has a hen who thinks she's a delivery drone too.
The real question is whether this behavior will fade once the broody hormones settle, or if we're witnessing the birth of a new chicken hobby. We're betting on the latter. Our feathered friends are full of surprises, and this one proves that even when you think you've seen it all, a hen will find a way to ruffle your expectations. Keep an eye on that stick pile, we're curious if she'll ever get one to stay put.