Does Squatting Mean the Chicken Is Going to Lay Soon?

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

I have six French Marans and one has just started squatting when I pet her. Does that mean she is going to lay soon? And if so, when? She is almost five months old.

 

[nuthatched]

20 weeks is still young for most breeds, I'm.not sure about marans. She'll lay sometime in the next 6 weeks probably.

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It can be an indicator but it's also a submissive posture, so you'd need to look for other indicators as well like comb development and reddening, nest box activity, and for a sure tell sign you can check their pelvic points: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Ponypoor]

I have six French Marans and one has just started squatting when I pet her. Does that mean she is going to lay soon? And if so, when? She is almost five months old.

My Silkies all did the squat thing about a couple weeks before they laid their first egg. I was very surprised because they are only around 16 and 18 weeks when they did start to lay. I was not expecting eggs until they were at least 5 or 6 months old!

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

It can be an indicator but it's also a submissive posture, so you'd need to look for other indicators as well like comb development and reddening, nest box activity, and for a sure tell sign you can check their pelvic points: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

All the pullets combs just recently turned red and grew about a quarter of an inch.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Yeah, in the next month or so.

 

[FlipFlopFarmer6279]

 

[Ponypoor]

All the pullets combs just recently turned red and grew about a quarter of an inch.

I wish Silkies had that simple option! My silkie/cochin I thought was a rooster had red comb and wattles - laid an egg so Hen - yay! My other two Silkies have black combs and wattles, didn't know what to think ! then they started squatting - yay! and then came the eggs - yay! I lucked out getting Silkies as couple week old chicks you just don't know- could have just as easily been 3 roosters haha!

 

[TropicalBabies]

Congratulations on your ALMOST first eggs! Most exciting!!!