Squatting and such

[MrPaterax]

Ok, so I know when is starting to squat this usually means they're about the age of ready to lay. I have a question though, do they eventually stop the squatting when you try to pick them up? Or do they keep doing it? First post btw ^^

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Some hens will eventually stop squatting, but in my experience if no rooster is present they will continue to regard you as the object of their affection.

 

[MrPaterax]

Ok, thanks

 

[The Yakima Kid]

Welcome to BYC. Some hens will eventually stop squatting, but in my experience if no rooster is present they will continue to regard you as the object of their affection.

Definitely. We have a hen we jokingly refer to as my husband's girlfriend since she rushes to greet him and squats down, and follows him, demanding his attention while squatting again and again. She's a sweet Black Star, and she squats for me, although she prefers to just deand my attention and not squat for me.

 

[BrickWall Honey]

It's funny when I walk into pen all six layers squat, to the point I have to be careful not to step on them, all the time I'm in there. They do not do it for MIL, and wife. They have a surprise coming next week when a Roo arrives.

 

[MrPaterax]

It's funny when I walk into pen all six layers squat, to the point I have to be careful not to step on them, all the time I'm in there.  They do not do it for MIL, and wife.  They have a surprise coming next week when a Roo arrives.

Oh, what breed?

 

[operationindigo]

I have a related question. When people say their chickens "squat," what does this actually look like? I know what a squat is, but my chickens do all kinds of wacky things but I haven't really thought of any of these behaviors as squatting - maybe a few times only. They're about 20 - 22 weeks old. They have pretty full and red combs/waddles, but I really haven't seen them squat a lot. Is it a subtle thing they do sometimes? I know this is a silly question.

 

[emmaie892000]

Its not a silly question. When they squat they bend their knees so they are a little shorter and they slightly push out their wings. Not fully extended straight, but at more of a right angle. Mine started doing it right before they began laying, and they do it in the morning before we go to get the eggs, almost they are curtseying to accept the thanks for the egg. LOL.It can be pretty subtle, and they often only do it for a few seconds. When you pick them up they stay very still.

 

[MrPaterax]

Its not a silly question. When they squat they bend their knees so they are a little shorter and they slightly push out their wings. Not fully extended straight, but at more of a right angle. Mine started doing it right before they began laying, and they do it in the morning before we go to get the eggs, almost they are curtseying to accept the thanks for the egg. LOL.It can be pretty subtle, and they often only do it for a few seconds. When you pick them up they stay very still.

Yup

 

[BrickWall Honey]

Oh, what breed?

These are the Red Stars that do it.