she squatted!!! But only 1 time

[PattyNH]

No, ya'll aren't scaring them they're randy and are waiting for you to do your job as a rooster.

LOL When my brother first explained that to me I was HORRIFIED!! It made me feel dirty

Now I am glad that they do it because I'd never be able to catch them otherwise...

 

[micstrachan]

I agree it was a real squat and eggs are coming soon! I think the squatting is adorable. Only one of my girls is squatting and laying right now. When they squat, I lean over and pet their lower backs above their tail and say, "Oh, she's a pretty girl!" A few of them will flap their wings and ruffle their feathers afterward. It's hilarious! A couple of them will also squat submissively to a higher ranked hen.

 

[cinalee]

Things you learn when you get chickens! I had never heard of squatting before - but like you, was anxious for my first egg so started to watch for it after reading that was a sign. Sure enough 3 of 5 are now squatters - 1 is an intermittent squatter and 1 is just so aloof and watches the others with a haughty "what in heavens are you doing?" look. One egg 2 days ago, one egg yesterday and two eggs today! Enjoy that first - I'm still smiling.

 

[Vwise507]

I’m more anxious waiting for our first egg than I was about my 2 children’s births hahaha

 

[aart]

in a way that seemed like I scared her. She just kind of jumped into the position and froze

You may have 'scared' her....squatting is also a submissive behavior to show they will not challenge a superior.
Comb looks 'REDy' tho.
Here some tips on how to tell.....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[Vwise507]

That was super helpful link! I went and checked my potentially soon layers and fifi squatted for me again, but only after I grabbed her tail to catch her. Also it’s about 1.5 fingers, possibly a little more. My other girl is the same size and both their vents looked very different than the other girls I checked. It was much easier to find and seemed more buldged, not sure how to explain.

 

[Vwise507]

There vent skin was also like yellow and not pink like the others.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I don’t have roos but my hens squat when they want picked up

 

[aart]

I went and checked my potentially soon layers and fifi squatted for me again, but only after I grabbed her tail to catch her. Also it’s about 1.5 fingers, possibly a little more. My other girl is the same size and both their vents looked very different than the other girls I checked. It was much easier to find and seemed more buldged, not sure how to explain.

I usually do this exam off the roost at night, wearing a headlight, they are much easier to 'catch'
Yep, just keep feeling and looking up to and beyond laying, you'll learn a lot that might really help in the future. That's where to first look for bugs too, so it's good to become adept.
The points will spread and could be the proverbial 'two fingers' a week or more before she actually lays..but she's tuning up!
I've found that messed up nests are the thing that happens the closest(a few days) to actually laying.

 

[Vwise507]

I usually do this exam off the roost at night, wearing a headlight, they are much easier to 'catch'
Yep, just keep feeling and looking up to and beyond laying, you'll learn a lot that might really help in the future. That's where to first look for bugs too, so it's good to become adept.
The points will spread and could be the proverbial 'two fingers' a week or more before she actually lays..but she's tuning up!
I've found that messed up nests are the thing that happens the closest(a few days) to actually laying.

Thank you!!!! I’ll keep checking and waiting!