Hens doing the chicken dance?

[Ohhhdear]

I have 12 ISA Brown pullets (no roosters) who've been laying since mid-July. They're very tame, and follow me all over my wooded fenced in 1/3 acre back yard. Lately, when I reach down to pick one up or even move my hand toward them, she'll squat down with her wings half-open and move from foot to foot, neck extended a little. Is it a request to be petted, a mating behaviour, enjoyment and anticipation of the back scratching she'll receive, or what?

 

[b.hromada]

She is looking at you as the roo in the flock, so to speak. They will start doing that when they come into lay.

 

[baucomgop]

My chickens do this too, I have just taken it that they like to be petted. I could be wrong, but I pet them anyway

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

They are doing the Egg Squat...they view you as the rooster. My sex links have become my best buddies since they began laying. Their faces, comb, wattles turned bright red, they did the squat for me and DH and became very friendly...that is when I found the first egg in the run...over the next 2 weeks the others began to lay.

Good luck!

 

[Annabella]

Yes my girls have been laying for a while and out of my 6 hens, 3 do the squat for me and let me pick them up - the other 3 just keep out of reach and ignore me!!

 

[Happy Chooks]

It is submission to the rooster (you) for mating. When they begin squatting, they are close to laying.

 

[kano]

Quote:
The second one. Mating behaviour.