How long do they squat?

[AmyMon]

Do hens squat forever? Wondering if this is a behavior they do all their lives or just when they are younger. My 6 hens are now laying daily and some are still squatting, even if they see me come near them in their peripheral vision. They are all very social. Just wondering how long they do this. We do not have a rooster. TIA!

 

[DobieLover]

They do it for as long as they are actively laying eggs.
YOU are their rooster!
It sounds like they need a real man in their lives... I have 2 cockerels I need to rehome. Just sayin'.

 

[AmyMon]

Thanks for the info. Sorry, don’t want to make our neighbors mad with a rooster…

 

[aart]

If you don't want or can't have a rooster....don't worry about it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They'll squat pretty much as long as they're laying - that means when they're molting, post molt, broody, post broody, or just flat out taking a break, they're less likely to squat as their hormones don't put them in the mood for accepting a rooster's advances (as they're not laying/minimally laying).