odd behavior

[gigelus2k13]

One of my Buff Orp's started doing a strange move: whenever I'm getting close to her while she's foraging, she crouches down, her shoulders stick out and she freezes in that position. Why would she do this?

She recently went through an episode of broodiness, but she's back laying her everyday egg now. Is she confusing me with a rooster (as she was raised on a big chicken farm, she possibly remembers things...)?

Thanks!

 

[Pyxis]

It kind of sounds like she's treating you like a rooster and crouching for you. I have a barred rock hen that does this for me. The roosters, for some reason, hate her and don't mate with her. She'll usually do it after I pick her up and set her down or if I'm petting her.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

She is treating you like a rooster. It is a completely normal instinct behavior. My hens have never seen a rooster and they do this.

 

[chkn]

Yes, she's assuming the position! It's probably a sign that she's a sweet little hen and will let you pick her up. Most of my hens scatter like chicken tards when I reach for them.

 

[realsis]

my little silkie hen does this very same thing. she crouches for me
it makes her easy to pick up but someone told me that means she thinks I'm the rooster. I don't have a rooster so I guess my hen thinks I'm it. so she assumes the position for me. I always pet her back and fluff her tail when she does it and then she walks off all happy. its so cute!

 

[brairgirl]

Its just a submissive position... Like the others have said

We have an Australorp that does this.. She is a sweet hen.