Squatting?

[cheeptrick]

What exactly does one mean when they describe the squatting behavior prior to laying?
Mine are like sitting down on their legs just hanging out...almost like they are sitting on a nest? Is this what people call squatting? Or are they just chillin!!
Or is squatting like when they go to the bathroom?

 

[silkiechicken]

I think usually, the squatting behavior that is described is the squatting that they do to allow the rooster to mate with them. That is a sign of maturity and that means they are going to lay soon or have just started to lay. The position is front down, tail up, wings out.

 

[cheeptrick]

Ahh...ok! Mine do not seem to be mating? I've watched them for hours and hours...and I'm sure I've not seen any mating. Are they just being sneaky?
Hmmmm...no crowing...no mating...do I have all pullets? I've got to have at least one BOY!!
24 - 19 1/2 week old EE's!

 

[silkiechicken]

EE's that old and no crowing... you might have all girls!!

 

[tiffanyh]

My hens go that for me also. We dont have a rooster. Coorect me if Im wrong, but I think if they do that for you it represents that you are the alpha chicken.

 

[silkiechicken]

I think it means you are alpha roo. They wont do that for other hens... at least mine don't. They do it for me though.

 

[cheeptrick]

That is too funny if I do have all girls! My husband will crack up...we've got 3 dd!! He'll truly be outnumbered NOW!
We never wanted boys...all girls...husband and me both! WE got what we wished for.
I ordered from McMurray's...24 sexed female EE's/Falsely advertised as Ameraucana's! I was for sure I'd get at least one boy!

 

[cheeptrick]

My poor dh was outnumbered before we had children though! LOL