Affectionate hen?

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jabros

jabros

In the Brooder
7 Years
Aug 17, 2012
15
0
22
Niceville, FL
My buff orphington hen greets me at the door every time I go outside and squats down right at my feet. Does she want me to pick her up? Do they like to be held? I raised her from a chick but this is a new behavior she's picked up. She is really sweet, though. Just some thoughts .=o)
 
its funny how chickens work. she may want hen scratch (if you have any) because when ever my hens see me or my other family members the bolt to the door staring at me and my dad only because we are the only ones who take care of our hens. he squatting may be a defence thing because your bigger than her or something about mating...... i don't know. it also may be affectionate because i once had a rooster that i raised from a chick to, who would wait for me by the door for me. He also would let me just pick him up. I hope i helped!
 
Sometimes I pick her up, but most of the time her feet are dirty (with dirty sand, I'm in sandy-soil FL :). I just have 1 chicken and I let her roam the yard all day. My dog keeps her company off and on when I let him out, but I'm trying to find her another hen so she won't be alone.
 
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Hens should always have a friend. It may be depressing for her and she thinks your probably part of her little flock. Just remember this "birds of a feather flock together"
 
Yea I don't want her to be alone too much longer. She laid a nice brown egg for me today and came running out of the coop just as soon as she laid it to tell everyone about it. I thought it was pretty funny.
 
It is normal only if no rooster is present. Lack of a rooster is normal only in human manipulated flocks. I do not think hen is being submissive but she does feel need to breed and she is desperate if soliciting another species that is not even closely related.
 
centrarchid said:
It is normal only if no rooster is present. Lack of a rooster is normal only in human manipulated flocks. I do not think hen is being submissive but she does feel need to breed and she is desperate if soliciting another species that is not even closely related.
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This has been my experience. I know folks here have roosters and hens that squat for them, but apparently my roo is taking care of all their needs and they aren't soliciting from me!
 

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