My hen Thalia seems scared to death of me! She cowers down, shuffles her feet and shakes. She only does it when i go to pet her or pick her up. She only started this when she started to lay. I don't want her to be scared of me. Does she think I'm going to hurt her or her eggs????? I don't know... Please help!!!!
This sounds like typical squat behavior. She recognizes you as her leader and is being submissive so you can jump on her and ride her. Don't mean to be crude. I really love when my girls do it, cuz its the only opportunity I have sometimes to pet them and love them a bit.
Because it's normal, just be real gentle and give her a skritch behind the head, or down the neck, or between her shoulder-blades. When you stop, she'll stand back up and shake herself all fluffy again. Back to business. You big, Roo, you!
Well I have a roo, and he's definately alpha. I do pet and pick Thalia up and then she stops squatting and shaking. Everytime i go to pick her up, though, she does it. Thanks for the suggestions!
