Got another squatter!

[JennsPeeps]

My BR squatted for the first time this morning, and did it a second time this afternoon. She let me rough her up pretty good (heh).

I know that squatting doesn't = egg-laying, but it's a nice precursor to it as any! Plus it's pretty funny to rub her down and listen to her talk to me.

DBF is jealous that Dumpling squatted for me first.

 

[Mesa]

LOL, I had no idea what squatting was until a few weeks ago. Now all of my 7 hens are squatting except for one. 3 are laying, I cant wait for them all to start laying. My kids are fighting over who gets to carry the egg (or eggs) into the house each day.

 

[redoak]

Cool, soon you'll be getting eggs.

 

[Sylvie]

6 days from first squat to egg for mine.
She was getting to the point where if I looked at her she'd squat.

 

[Pullet Pimp]

I too wondered when the squat would come and if I'd notice. I just got my first egg this week on the 3rd guessing BR and another today that I got to watch the NHR lay

. About a day or two before my first egg I noticed a real change in all of their behavior. Usually they are kind of standoffish and would run when I pet them (especially the SLW), but when I do it now several of them just squat down and put their wings out a bit and stay there as long as I scratch. I've got about 8-10 out of 19 doing this squat now. Still only have 2 eggs though but.....

 

[annaserv]

I've got and obstacle course when I walk in the doorway with all the squatters. Really hard not to stumble over them.

So far 2 out of the 16 new girls are laying.

 

[MissPrissy]

Squatting is submission. Your hens are waiting for you, the dominant roo (doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman), to mount them. Petting their back is similar stimulation to a roo on their back. Essentually when you do this you have mated them. You will even notice some hens shaking it off as they walk away. Refluffing their feathers is like checking your lipstick and straightening your skirt after a passionate kiss and embrace.

Why do people keep keep posting about squatting in association with egg laying?? They have little to do with one another. It is more a case of maturity and recognizing the pecking order and a little bit of sexual maturity in the mix.

 

[rdranch]

Squatting comes in handy when you need to catch them!

 

[Mom2Cool]

ok "sqatting"? And you all mean in their nexting boxes where they lay eggs? I'm not sure I'm familiar with this term yet & if I had heard this I would have thought it a term meant for sitting on their eggs.. I love the education one gets at the BYC....

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
I am sure that at least MOST here know that squatting doesn't mean they are about to pop out an egg. However, since it IS a sign of sexual maturity, it is yet another important indicator that they are getting ready to lay......eventually. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but that they are getting closer.