Do hens continue squatting even after they lay an egg?

[lothomson]

Hi!

I am super excited because Willow, my SLW hen, just laid her first egg today!

I literally screamed and jumped for joy because it happens right when you're fed up

and do not believe they will lay anytime soon. Anyways, I know that hens squat before they

lay, do they continue squatting afterwards? Today a couple hours after laying, she squatting when i bent

down to lift her up...

Thanks!

 

[N F C]

Congratulations on getting that 1st egg!

The squatting thing is sort of hit or miss in our flock. We have girls that never have squatted but are certainly laying. We have girls that squat anytime they see you coming close to them. Then we have the little fake squatters, they act like they are going to but at the last second, they sort of do the limbo out from under your hand

I'd say if your girl squatted before laying, she'll continue to do so.

 

[spick]

Newbie here so laugh at me and it's ok, but what exactly is squatting. I just thought they squatted to lay and or have an egg.

 

[lothomson]

Newbie here so laugh at me and it's ok,

but what exactly is squatting. I just thought they squatted to lay and or have an egg.

Welcome to BYC!

I am also new. If you have pullets that are about to lay they will "squat" when you reach to pick them up or when you have your hands on them. They look like they are about to poop, but they look a little more uncomfortable and kind of tend to fluff up. They also part their wings a bit at the shoulder. It just looks like a very uncomfortable squatting position.

They will then recover and keep walking around like it was nothing.

After they begin to squat it is usual 1-2 after that when they will lay their first egg.

 

[spick]

I noticed them making little areas for them to lay down /bury ,and etc and I was hoping since the combs has gotten way red. But I never noticed squatting. I will say they have all gotten more docile, and I only have one layer out of 15 right now. They are such interesting creatures!