Pullets preparing for rooster mounting when I try to pet them

[legojenn]

I have four red sex-link hens that are about 22 weeks old. Two are Lohmann Browns and two are Red Stars. They came from different vendors. I don't see anything that makes one pair unique from the other except the Red Stars' legs are a little more vibrant yellow.

Anyhow, I tried to look up pullet behaviour when it comes to trying to pet them. I don't think my search terms were that good. My pullets will spread their wings and lower their backs like they're preparing to be mounted by a rooster when I pet them when I pet them. All four react the same way. I doubt that any of these birds have seen a cockerel one day after hatching or a rooster ever. I'm wondering if I'm scaring them with my attempt to be affectionate with them. I've seen what roosters do and it can't be pleasurable for the hens. I also see the efforts that some hens will go to in order to evade being mounted. Is it that these hens simply reacting to a touch on their backs or are they afraid of me? Is it something else?

I don't want them to fear me or other humans. They seem to like me and my neighbours. They certainly like to visit the ones that feed them worms and watermelons. I just won't try to pet them if I'm scaring them.

 

[wamtazlady]

It's normal behavior. If your pullets are not already laying then they will be laying very soon. Squatting is one of the signs of getting to lay. They are not doing it because they are frightened.

 

[Gray Farms]

Its not that they fear you. Its a submissive behavior that ingrained in their DNA. Its commonly seen in pullets approaching laying.

 

[sourland]

A little rub on their backs, and they will fluff their feathers, shake themselves and go on about their day.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

IMO you're lucky. It sure makes it easier on the girls when they go with the flow instead of fighting it. When I do that to mine they're like "Ugh, gross!" and make haste to get away or bite me. They're getting better with the guys, though.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It has nothing to do with either fear or pleasure, I believe it's about balance. Most roosters are heavier than the hens they mount, so it's natural and necessary for a hen to squat when a rooster mounts her. We must not think of chickens in human terms or project our emotions upon them. For them it is a simple matter of biology. They must pass on their DNA in order to make more chickens, but they don't know that. They are just behaving the way their instincts drive them, just as nature drives them to eat, drink, hunt for bugs and roost at night. It's simple nature. And when you touch them, pressure on their back feels the same to them as a rooster, so they squat.

 

[PirateGirl]

It's just normal instinctual behavior. It's also a sign that they are reaching maturity and will be laying soon if they are not already.

 

[legojenn]

Thanks everyone. They have been laying for a couple of weeks now. In the short time that I've had them, the skin around their eyes has turned bright red and their wattles & combs have darkened. They just became mature. I'm glad to know that they are just doing what they were born to do.

 

[Losobug]

Thanks everyone. They have been laying for a couple of weeks now. In the short time that I've had them, the skin around their eyes has turned bright red and their wattles & combs have darkened. They just became mature. I'm glad to know that they are just doing what they were born to do.

Most of my girls know their names and will squat from a distance when I call them. They are so funny. If they are close by I give them a pat on the back and they fluff up and shake like they got human germs on em..lol..