14 week old Wyandotte odd pose

[maryhbrock]

Good Morning! I have three hens: two are 14 week Wyandottes, and one is an 18 week old Ameraucana. One of the Wyandottes is definitely the last in the pecking order, and is also the most skittish. She has started doing a pose I can only describe as "downward dog". I might be projecting, but she seems to be in a sort of trance while she does this. Then she bolts out of the trance and pose and runs around the run. She's not aggressive, just odd. The three all get along really well. So other than experiencing some sort of chicken Zen, what is this about?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She's submitting, and asking to be mated. I will assume you have no roosters.

 

[maryhbrock]

Nope, no roosters. So I guess it's about time to open up the nesting boxes?

Thank you for the answer!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally you will see squatting behaviors up to about a month before they start to lay, so definitely get the boxes ready, and put some fake eggs in them.

 

[maryhbrock]

Super! Thank you!

 

[RW1984]

Generally you will see squatting behaviors up to about a month before they start to lay, so definitely get the boxes ready, and put some fake eggs in them.

does placing fake eggs in them help? Wouldn’t they naturally want to use the boxes? (Sorry to OP, I’m not trying to steal your thread! Just saw this and was curious)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

does placing fake eggs in them help? Wouldn’t they naturally want to use the boxes? (Sorry to OP, I’m not trying to steal your thread! Just saw this and was curious)

It will show them a place "another hen" thought was safe to lay, and they will often follow suit. Hens also like to lay in other hens nests as maybe that hen will hatch her eggs. It's all instincts.

 

[maryhbrock]

.....The one who laid will have a much redder comb and wattles than the others, and there is also something about their hips being wider set? I don't really understand that bit. Congratulations!

This is really helpful. The Zen Hen has also recently grown bigger than her sister, and her comb and wattles are much redder than either of the others. (It's enough of a difference that in addition to the odd poses, I was starting to worry about her being a rooster)

 

[black_cat]

This is really helpful. The Zen Hen has also recently grown bigger than her sister, and her comb and wattles are much redder than either of the others. (It's enough of a difference that in addition to the odd poses, I was starting to worry about her being a rooster)

.................................She's close to laying! I'm less confused about your hen then I am about you getting my post on another thread into this one.

 

[lovesfarms]

When deciding the pecking order, one chicken will give in to another chicken with this same pose.