How big of a Squat Counts as a Squat?

[Henderson Hen House]

I have a 23 week old australorp that has semi-squatted for me twice, the first being last Thursday, and the second being today. She will crouch down and put her wings out for about 1 second and then just be low to the ground but not keep her wings out or head down like she did that first second. She is super red in the face, and I am just not sure if I should get my hopes up for an egg if it's not a true squat....

Any words of wisdom/encouragement would be greatly appreciated...

 

[Fred's Hens]

That's it. You should be getting some pullet eggs any day now.

 

[Henderson Hen House]

So it doesn't have to be consistent, like every time I go out there or go to pet her?? I guess I was under the impression that it had to be a happening "all the time" thing. First time pullet owner = knows nothing about the signs that say "I'm gettin ready to lay!!".

Thank you for your patience and help : )

Any other signs I should be looking for?

 

[gryeyes]

Some pullets/hens never squat for people (or roosters, for that matter). They don't always do it, even if they do squat for you now.

I consider it an honor if one of my ladies squats for me. I always give 'em a quick skritch at the base of the neck, another skritch at the base of the tailfeathers, and a pat on the back. "Thank you, sweetie!"

Some of 'em will even do a little stamp with their feet, during the squat. Just like they do for the rooster when he has mounted them.

And, I've just learned the little feather fluff-up maneuver after they stand up is the mechanism by which the hen moves the rooster's sperm up into her body. And here I had thought it was merely to get rid of "bed feathers!"

 

[Henderson Hen House]

Quote:
Has it been your experience that when they start squatting they are roughly a week away from laying?