Is this squatting or just cat nap in the sun?

[SandyRiverChick]

The girls are 19weeks so I'm expecting them to lay soon and watching for squatting, etc. They are definitely getting more chatty/louder and faces turning redder. But it doesnt look like squatting to me... They lay down alot in dirt or grass, sort of laying on one side. Is that an indication of laying or just a chicken nap thing? I'm sort of worried that arent going to lay in thier nest boxes because they take these nappy times out in thier run or while free ranging.....

 

[Paws2u]

Sounds like a chicken nap to me. My girls will be one year on 27 October and have been laying for several months now and they still drop like rocks and gather the sun. But they always seem to make it to their favorite boxes to lay. Don't worry...it will come. Have a blessed rest of the day.

 

[gritsar]

Yeah, sounds like sunbathing and/or dustbathing.
The eggs will come, don't worry.

 

[lauralou]

Sounds like sunbathing. I wish I had a picture of "the squat" for you. I'll try to describe it.

When you reach your hand out to pet her, she will sort of squat down, and her wings will come up and out at the shoulder. She'll hold that pose for a moment while you touch her.

That may not be the best description, but you will know it when you see it.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Thank you, and it does make sense! I read that a while back and I know that as of this morning at least, when I went to pet the "reddest" one, she didnt do that, she sort of puffed out her chest at me like usual.... Hah, I thought I would just be patient but its not true, I'm getting so anxious!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Now this is a chicken nap in the sun.... cute, had to share.

I petted the head hen - reddest stuff, etc. this morning and she for sure squatted! It was indeed different than napping in the sun, had a little song going on too.... Getting closer to eggs...

 

[RGEISENDORF]

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yep just last night Gwen (my leghorn) gave one of my Silkies a peck and when I yelled at her and put my hand out to "spank" her she dropped like a rock. I was able to pick her up and give her love and that NEVER happens without mealworms.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. It appears like dusbathing. Also you don't want them napping in the nest boxes. If they get into that habit then you may get poopy eggs.

 

[australorpchick]

Picture yourself squat-hovering over the seat of a porta-john with your arms in a muscle flex along your torso, like a WWE wrestler. Now picture yourself with feathers. That's what a squat looks like!

 

[mylittlezoo]

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