Silly question... ornery chickens

[Debs8]

*

I now only have 5 chickens left, I have since made a pen for the girls after losing 3 to a coyote

including my roo. So it is now just 5 hens. Anyway, my girls are now 6 months old. I have 2 hens that act very strange when I approach them. When I try to pet them, they will crouch down and and spread out as if they want to mate. I have seen this before. I am wondering if my girls are getting ready to lay eggs. And what do I need to do to start the process? Also, they seem very grumpy, fussy and very demanding. What is going on?
Any help would be greatly appriciated....

 

[WiMoSiFr]

Sounds to me like you could expect eggs anytime now! If you let them out in a yard, I would be checking under stuff to see if one might be laying already.

 

[chicmom]

You're exactly right! Your hens are "assuming the position" and you are their rooster. LOL That does mean that soon you will have eggs. It would be a good idea now, if you haven't already, to put a nesting box or two in your coop. Put some straw or wood shavings in there, and even a golf ball or fake egg if you want, to give them the idea on where to lay. It's almost time for those eggs! Good luck!

Sharon

 

[sourland]

Gather the egg cartons they are ready to lay.

 

[Debs8]

Okay! Thanks for letting me know its time to gather the eggs. They are laying pretty often now... oh my gosh... I'm so excited.
With 5 young first timers, I'm getting 4 eggs a day. Thanks for the advice. And they do think I'm their rooster... that's just too weird... lol. When they assume "the position", I just stroke them on the back and then they're happy. What have I gotten myself into... lol.
Oh, one more question... How long can an go without being collected?

 

[robk0220]

are they doing the "puff and fluff" afterwards?

 

[Debs8]

Yes they sure are! Its too weird... lol. Should I get them a roo? Mine was taken by a coyote, it was terrible! But my fiance says that was a good thing... and of course that made me angry... lol. But he wasnt crowing yet either. I think that's what he was refering to when he said that was a good thing?!!

 

[BigSkyChickens]

Fluff & puff - that is too funny. My Barred Rock does that. When I pick her up after she squats, she closes here eyes and puffs out all her feathers like she's getting ready for the worst. Then she sings a funny little song. It's just adorable.

I was wondering if hens get frustrated not having a rooster.......

I just tell my little BR, "Be happy you're not getting clawed in the back..."

 

[robk0220]

my wife calls it: "molesting the chickens"…

most probably figured it out, but the "puff and fluff" is what the girls do after mating…

 

[artsyrobin]

if you decide to get a roo for them- you couldn't do better than a brahma or cochin.... they have great personality and are usually gentle to the ladies- love the fluff and puff description!