Squatting while on the roost?

[RanchRichey]

I went to do my nightly rounds/health check after the chickens were in the coop and roosting for the night. When I approached one of my 21 week EEs she did the classic "squat" while still on her roost. Her comb has exploded in the past week, but I didn't really expect her to be at POL for a few more weeks, as she has (until very recently) had a tight dry vent and still has fairly close pin bones.

Has anyone else had a chicken "squat" while on the roost, and can I consider it the same as the mature ready to lay squat, or was she maybe startled etc? I usually check them nightly, and this particular pullet had a feather picking problem early on, so I routinely checked her picked areas for wounds and regrowth without problems, this was the first time she did this.

 

[SueT]

Yes, mine have squatted on roost, I'm sure that like squatting anywhere else, this is a sign of getting ready to lay.

 

[RanchRichey]

Hooray! That would be unexpected. She squatted for me while out free ranging today too, so hopefully soon! We are leaving for vacation on Wednesday and I just know the little boogers are going to wait till we are gone to start laying