I just started my whole chicken adventure and this site has been the most helpful tool along the way.
I have four hens that I bought from someone nearby Chico/ Paradise area.
A 9 month-1 year old White Leghorn
One 5, and one 4, month old Barred Rock girl
Rhodie that's about 5 months too
I bought them as pullets and they have been great, took a little while for them to get warmed up to me (They were basically totally free range the rest of their lives at their previous home)
Once the leghorn Snow White relaxed, she started laying eggs 1 a day like clockwork but I noticed her behavior changed a lot at the same time and more than the others who were not laying. Instead of fleeing to the corner of the coop when I reached too close in she would raise her wings, get really low and stomp for a second.
Now that Pepper, my older of the two Barred Rocks has began laying, (just this week too!!) she's adopted the same ritual. Stomping the feet, getting really low and raising the wings.
The other two girls I've never seen do this, what does it mean in chicken??
My instincts tell me they are trying to protect there nest, and go mama bear.... but... they have also gotten much less scared in general and are much calmer when being pet and even picked up than the other two
I have four hens that I bought from someone nearby Chico/ Paradise area.
A 9 month-1 year old White Leghorn
One 5, and one 4, month old Barred Rock girl
Rhodie that's about 5 months too
I bought them as pullets and they have been great, took a little while for them to get warmed up to me (They were basically totally free range the rest of their lives at their previous home)
Once the leghorn Snow White relaxed, she started laying eggs 1 a day like clockwork but I noticed her behavior changed a lot at the same time and more than the others who were not laying. Instead of fleeing to the corner of the coop when I reached too close in she would raise her wings, get really low and stomp for a second.
Now that Pepper, my older of the two Barred Rocks has began laying, (just this week too!!) she's adopted the same ritual. Stomping the feet, getting really low and raising the wings.
The other two girls I've never seen do this, what does it mean in chicken??
My instincts tell me they are trying to protect there nest, and go mama bear.... but... they have also gotten much less scared in general and are much calmer when being pet and even picked up than the other two
So glad you joined us!!! 
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