Hen crouching down

[Rosieposie6]

Howdy just seeing if anyone knows why chickens specifically hens crouch down? Lately my Brahma Lemon drop has been crouching down when I stand near her or make a sudden movement. I read it could be a submissive type of behavior potentially. Also she hasnt laid eggs yet she’s 7 months old so not sure if it’s a possible sign of laying soon.

 

[nuthatched]

It's usually is a sign of laying on the horizon.

 

[AidKD]

Did you raise her from the beginning?

 

[Tonyroo]

Pullets about to lay will crouch down it's an instinctive trait for when there's a rooster around for easy access.

 

[LuciferRoo]

I have a hen that got moved to a temporary enclosure and after a while she did the crouching thing. She was already laying when I moved her but did not lay after the move.
It was an urgent move and she went from a coop to large wire dog cage for sleeping accommodations.
As soon as I made a new coop for her to have privacy, she started laying eggs again and the squatting stopped.