Squatting or hunching down with chickens

[cjpines]

My one year old chicken just started squatting or hunching down when I come into the coop. I'm wondering what this means.

We had a bear attack and she and one other were saved. After that is when she started squatting. Is this a sign of submission or fright?

I had another chicken that started this right away.

 

[Wisher1000]

I'm pretty sure it's submission. She wants to be bred. If you have no rooster, put your hand on her back and rock her side to side. If she fluffs all her feathers and shakes when you let her go, she thought she was!

 

[nchls school]

My one year old chicken just started squatting or hunching down when I come into the coop.  I'm wondering what this means.

We had a bear attack and she and one other were saved.  After that is when she started squatting.  Is this a sign of submission or fright?

I had another chicken that started this right away.

Hens squatting holding their wings rigid is mating behavior. I'm guessing you do not have a rooster. If so you have been promoted to rooster status. My hens used to do the same thing. Now I have roosters and as a result I have been demoted to "the guy who feeds us" again. The hens no longer squat when I enter the coop.

 

[cjpines]

Boy, that's news. You made me laugh. No rooster here, so I guess she will think of me as Ms rooster.

 

[cjpines]

I'm pretty sure it's submission. She wants to be bred. If you have no rooster, put your hand on her back and rock her side to side. If she fluffs all her feathers and shakes when you let her go, she thought she was!

How interesting--I will try it. Funny she's the only hen that has been broody twice in one year for months. We know she would of been a good mamma. Can't have a rooster here.

 

[Wisher1000]

You could give her some fertile eggs to hatch.