Squatting?

[roostercluck]

I have heard a lot about squatting and was wondering what that is exactly? Do you have any pictures? When is an age that they start?

 

[vannaHaines]

Sorry, no pictures here, but they start around 4-6 months of age, around the time they are going to begin to lay. Basically, when they squat, they position themselves to be mounted by a rooster. They squat, head slightly down, wings slightly open.....

 

[wilbilt]

I tried to get some photos of my hens squatting, but they did not cooperate very well with the delayed shutter of my phone camera. This was the best example of the pose. When approaching or touching them, they will assume this posture. Hind end nearly touching the ground, wings slightly spread. It can be annoying when trying to enter the run if they all bunch up and squat just inside the doorway.



BTW, the hen pictured is 19-20 weeks old and has been laying for about 3 weeks. The squatting preceded the laying by about 2 weeks.

-Will

 

[sandmbaker]

So thats why my hen does that when I touch her!!!

I tried to get some photos of my hens squatting, but they did not cooperate very well with the delayed shutter of my phone camera. This was the best example of the pose. When approaching or touching them, they will assume this posture. Hind end nearly touching the ground, wings slightly spread. It can be annoying when trying to enter the run if they all bunch up and squat just inside the doorway.



BTW, the hen pictured is 19-20 weeks old and has been laying for about 3 weeks. The squatting preceded the laying by about 2 weeks.

-Will

 

[humphrey farms]

Thank you for the answers and photos. I too was wondering what squatting looked like! I even posted today about the matter! Just trying to learn!

 

[wiltonflock]

I wondered if that was what one of my girls was doing too! I now have two of them doing it. They are about 16-18 weeks old not sure exactly but no eggs yet so maybe they are on their way!!