Holding chickens

[TheChickenChaser]

Hello all! Things are going great with my three chickens! I let them out almost every day and they enjoy scouring my garden. One quick question. One of my chickens now crouches down and splays her wings when I approach. I read this is a mating thing? Is it good? Because it allows me to pick her up easier, but I'm wondering if it's not good to hold them when they do that. Also, I have been trying to encourage my chickens to let me hold them by feeding them when they are in my arms, but when I hold them, they are calm, but don't acknowledge the food I put in front of them. Is this normal? Thanks!

 

[TooCheep]

Sounds normal. That is called squatting. I presume she's a young pullet? If so, that means she is close to laying and will likely start in a week or so.

When a pullet/hen does that, you can pet her back and she'll "feel good" about it.

 

[TheChickenChaser]

That is called squatting. I presume she's a young pullet? If so, that means she is close to laying and will likely start in a week or so.

When a pullet/hen does that, you can pet her back and she'll "feel good" about it.

She is about 5 months old give or take. Can we really expect eggs within a week? And will this behavior stay?

 

[TooCheep]

She is about 5 months old give or take. Can we really expect eggs within a week? And will this behavior stay?

Yup. That is a common age to start laying. Some will do it more than others. Some continue that behavior at least occasionally for years. She's signaling that she is ready to mate.

 

[TheChickenChaser]

Yup. That is a common age to start laying. Some will do it more than others. Some continue that behavior at least occasionally for years. She's signaling that she is ready to mate.

Got it! Thanks for your advice!

 

[Vicker]

It's funny to watch them shake and fluff their feathers after you pat their backs when they squat. I stopped handling mine very much, though, because it made them less flighty when predators came up on them. They would just freeze in front of the predator.

 

[TheChickenChaser]

Yup. That is a common age to start laying. Some will do it more than others. Some continue that behavior at least occasionally for years. She's signaling that she is ready to mate.

You were right on the money! Checked a couple of days ago and now everyone is laying!