Squatting, not squatting or just not tame?

[KimberlyJ]

My husband calls it giving "Rooster Rubs". My SS will squat RIGHT in front of me. I almost trip over her. The other night they were free ranging while I babysat them, I came inside for just a second. When I came back out the SS flew toward me across the yard and landed right at my feet just to get her Rooster Rubbies! I think it's cool

. My neighbor may think I'm crazy though..........

 

[maizey]

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The idea is that when they are close to laying, they will allow the rooster to do his thing. The squatting down thing is a sign that they are receptive to the rooster. Since we are the biggest thing in the coop, they may get the idea that we are "the rooster" so they may squat down for a nice pat on the back when they are close to laying. Thats my understanding of it at any rate.

 

[maizey]

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[sab]

I'm new to the chix business too but all 4 of my ladies are squatty - and loving it cause I give 'em good rubs under their wings and the base of the spine --- they toss that tail up and fluff up those head feathers all of which says they are loving it. Squatting didn't happen until egg laying. That's my 3 chickens and a duck. The duck is quite persistent about getting my attention. My EE I had named Hateful because she was so mean and ongry compared to my 2 BRs and touching her was nonexistent. Then she got squatty and began laying within that week. Can't tell it's the same bird - I renamed her Helen. Squatty = lovey time around here.

 

[sharol]

SAme thing happened with my Golden Campine. She wouldn't allow herself to be handled until she started squatting, and now she is underfoot all the time wanting to be scritched. I asked her the other day, "Who are you and what did you do with Scout?"

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[junglebird]

My 5 hens have been laying for a month or so. They have never squatted for me, nor the rooster. I handle the hens a few times a week ... and the rooster handles which ever ones he can get a hold of ...lol.

Is this unusual?

(Hens: Barred Rock, New Hampshire, 2 Marans, Ameraucana)

 

[AccioSarah]

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My girls were JUST like this. Two Barred Rocks and Two Rhode Island Reds. They liked to eat from my hand, and would stand near me, but if I extended my hand to pet them, they would bolt. Once they began to lay though- a few weeks after each laid her first egg they each had a change of heart. Suddenly they would squat down every time I approached to be pet!!
Just give them time, your girls will come around!

((my earliest layer was 16 1/2 weeks old))

 

[SparksNV]

I have 6 hens - all are laying - but 2 of them do not squat. None of them wanted to be touched until they became more mature and close to laying - except for the 2 that still don't squat.

I have 3 Orp/Del crosses and 3 Orp/EE crosses. The two that don't squat are one of each crosses.

Carol