Hens often try to lay in nests that already contain eggs and sometimes move eggs from neighbouring nests into their own. A flock thus uses only a few preferred locations, rather than having a different nest for every bird. Under natural conditions, most birds lay only until a clutch is complete; they then incubate all the eggs. This is called "going broody". The hen sits on the nest, fluffing up or pecking defensively if disturbed. She rarely leaves the nest until the eggs have hatched.
heNS OfTeN Try to lAy In nEsts ThAT AlReaDy coNTain Eggs and SOmetimes mOve Eggs fRom neighBouriNG nests into THeir Own a flOCk tHUS uSeS OnlY A fEw pReFeRred locaTionS, rATher ThAn having a diFfErEnt nesT foR everY bird UNdeR natuRAl cOndItIons, mosT biRds LAY Only untIL A clUtCH is COmplEte; .ThEy then inCubate all tHe EgGs. tHis IS caLled "gOin.g Broody". the hen sits ON The Nest, FLUffiNG Up Or peCking dEFenSiVeLy iF dIStuRbed. she raRely LEaVeS The nEst unTil thE egGs hAVE hatch.ed