Squatting?

[ILoveBabySilkies]

Hey everyone, so I have 11 chickens 5 of which are 15 week old pullets. So my question is why is my 15 week old Dominique squatting? She started doing half squats a couple days ago and now does the full submission squat, I know pullets will do this when close to lay and when roosters/owners come up to them but I didn’t know they could start squatting so early. None of my other 15 week old pullets do this, does this just happen sometimes and they just start squatting really early?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

but I didn’t know they could start squatting so early. None of my other 15 week old pullets do this, does this just happen sometimes and they just start squatting really early?

Most that do this will start at least a month before laying at my place... noting that not all will ever display this behavior and some never will.

Since you're kinda south.. maybe you will get some new layers come on board over the next month or so.

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

Most that do this will start at least a month before laying at my place... noting that not all will ever display this behavior and some never will.

Since you're kinda south.. maybe you will get some new layers come on board over the next month or so.

Thank you for your insight, hopefully I will be getting some eggs soon!

 

[rosemarythyme]

She could possibly also be squatting as a sign of submission to older birds. This morning one of my pullets squatted in front of me but it was because a more assertive hen was coming around the corner and she was showing her submission to her. The hen lightly pecked her a couple times in the back, then moved on, and the pullet came out of squat.

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

She could possibly also be squatting as a sign of submission to older birds. This morning one of my pullets squatted in front of me but it was because a more assertive hen was coming around the corner and she was showing her submission to her. The hen lightly pecked her a couple times in the back, then moved on, and the pullet came out of squat.

That’s what I would say if I had an older bird, but they are the oldest and no one else is squatting so I just thought it was interesting!

 

[aart]

That’s what I would say if I had an older bird, but they are the oldest and no one else is squatting so I just thought it was interesting!

You're the 'older bird'

Could check for other signs of POL:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[ILoveBabySilkies]

You're the 'older bird'

Could check for other signs of POL:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

I never thought I would be considered an older bird! I would check for POL signs but she’s 15 weeks so I can’t imagine she’s ya know like close close, at least not close enough to be able to tell by the pelvic bones.

 

[aart]

I would check for POL signs but she’s 15 weeks so I can’t imagine she’s ya know like close close, at least not close enough to be able to tell by the pelvic bones.

Bone spread and squatting happen about the same time...so might define the squat.

 

[WallyG74]

10 of my younger flock are 15 weeks. 2 of those are Buff Orpington. Both of them will squat when I go in the run and one has been pecking at the crushed egg shells that I put out for the big girls. I’m seeing some signs just like you but I also feel like 15 weeks is crazy early. None of the other breeds that are that age are showing those signs.