My chickens are suddenly very friendly

[ella&clara]

I haven't done anything different, but in the past two weeks three of the nine (I think) have begun laying, and the rest of them crouch when I approach. One of the wildest Americanas, who two weeks ago I would have had to chase, has now begun approaching me and crouching and loving to be held. When I pick her up she doesn't struggle but snuggles in my arms. I haven't made any effort to tame them, but she suddenly seems to want to be a pet. The flock on the whole is much tamer and friendlier. Again, I'm not doing anything different, and don't really want chicken pets. Two weeks ago they'd run when I tried to pick them up and would flap and squawk when I did. I assume it must somehow be tied to their maturation, crouching, and egglaying. I'm just curious about this, will it last, etc?

 

[NanaLantana]

Sounds like you have hens, and yes, the crouching is because they are mature - enough to be mated! They see you as their rooster - you come near, they crouch, you stroke their back, maybe push down a little, and they get up and shake. They feel they've been mated! Chicken behavior!

 

[ella&clara]

So will this last? How about the liking to be held and cuddled? I guess I am a very gentle rooster!!

 

[SIMPleChick]

My chickens have just begun that this week! When I first got my baby chicks, months and months ago I watched a TON of youtube videos about anything chicken....There was a guy whos hens did that and he bent down to pet them and rub his hands around their tails. I noticed that when I do that, they LOVE IT! LOL! They like it a little rough! HAHAHA

 

[Styled-chick]

My chickens just started doing the same exact thing. I assumed they were ready to mate because they are crouching. They are super friendly and come right up to me instead of running now.