Squatting, not squatting or just not tame?

[maizey]

I saw the video on here a few days ago of the pullet squatting when being "petted' by her human rooster, but I still am wondering about something. My girls don't really want me to touch them at all. They will come when called, eat from my hand, peck at my shoes and hang around me when I am outside, but they don't want me touching them and when I try to pet them on the back, they scoot out from under my hand and fuss. My questions then: Are they even tame enough to "squat"? Or have I not handled them enough to use the "squat test" ? And do all chickens squat and Im just checking them too soon? They are about 14 weeks now...barred rocks. Thanks!

 

[PatS]

I have buff orps. Mine don't start squatting until they are ready to mate, just about the time they begin laying eggs. Not all of my hens squat for me.

Many of my hens calmed down about being touched once they start laying. I often reach under them to collect eggs, so they get used to me pretty quick. I have a feeling that since chickens have instincts about flying predators, they don't favor being approached from above. When you feed them by hand, you might try slowly reaching out and stroking their "chests." My birds prefer that to being "petted" on the back.

 

[Morgan7782]

Absolutely. My chickens did not let me pet them UNTIL they began squatting. Then I was able to 'catch' them long enough to pet. But before that, and now with my molting brahma who isn't squatting now, I can't really handle them. They are friendly, but not exactly 'tame'.

 

[KimberlyJ]

I have an Australorp, a SLW, a RIR, a Speckled Sussex and a Barred Rock. I am getting 4 eggs a day, I think it's the Australorp that's not laying. The RIR, SLW and SS all squat for me. The BR thinks its wayyyy beneath her to squat for a human rooster.

 

[Morgan7782]

Kimberly, I have a 9 month old Barred Rock, I have a feeling she will be the same way. Even when she lays, I really doubt she will squat for me. She thinks a lot of herself

No eggs yet from her but my 9 month Easter Egger is getting closer I think

My Brahma never let me touch or pet her until she began squatting, and laying, same with my Wyandotte.

 

[maizey]

thanks for the replies all... I feel a little better now.. thought I had ruined them by not being all touchy feely with them

 

[happyhens44]

Mine all squat for me "to mate them" im like ewww no, *whistles* Mr. Roo are you not doing your job?

I just pet them.

 

[Lisa202]

I'm new to this as I only have 15 week old bantams. What do you mean by "squatting for you"?

My roo just started trying to mate with them (even though there won't be eggs for a couple months) and at first they fought him, but I've notice that they do squat for him now...so do they do that for us? and when would they do that...when we approach them or try to touch them? I've been reading so much but haven't come across this.

I have read that they settle down the older they get and will become friendlier, so petting will be easier (especially after their teen weeks)

I do have a couple hens that are friendlier than the others, but then those are the hens that are also braver and the first to grab the treats, so is it "friendliness" or just "courage"???

I guess I'll find out.

 

[booker81]

Most of mine won't intentionally let me pet them, and I've not had a squatter until today....one of my new Ameruacana's was hanging out on the "hutch" in the coop. I reached out to pet her and she squatted down, wing shoulders lifted. I just pet her for a while, and then found she REALLY liked it when I scratched her tail base where it meets her back.

Then I felt kinda weird.

Later in the day, I got my first blueish egg

Most of the time, I just have to corner and grab the hens to check them over. They come to me willingly, but don't really care for too much contact, which is fine by me. I bring the little helper in sometimes, and I don't want them jumping on her.

 

[sharol]

Mine are lots more touchy-feely since they have been squatting. Three of the 7 actually hop up into my lap when I sit on the patio with them.

It is getting to the point that I can't walk through the pen without "acknowledging" a pullet with a scratch at the base of the tail and a pat on the fluffy bottom. They they fluff their feathers and go on their way. Shoot, if it makes them happy, I have no problem with it.