Submissive Hen Behavior or Mating Behavior?

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Patinas

Patinas

Songster
Mar 22, 2017
456
511
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Washington
Yesterday, 3 of my hens, at different times throughout the day, came up to me and squatted at my feet, tail up and just sat there...so I petted their backs and then they just got up and walked off. They are about 6 month old and all laying at this point.

I have reached out and petted them on occasion and they would squat at that point but this is the first time they came up and just squatted unsolicited right at my feet.

I do not have a rooster in my flock and I did not hold them much when they were chicks because there were too many of them. Out of 20 of them, 6 of them are very friendly towards me and like to follow me around and just generally be close to me when I'm outside doing stuff. The three that squatted at my feet were 3 of the 6 very friendly ones.

I don't think they were squatting to get petted because they just aren't used to humans handling them. I haven't seen them squatting with each other, only me.

Is it just that they view me as the boss or are they hoping a roo man will magically appear and jump their bones?
 
Chickassan said:
You're going to have to learn the pull and jiggle. Make a v with your fingers put the hens tail in the v at the base of the tail now lightly pull and jiggle the base of the tail. Congratulations you're a rooster.
Click to expand...

That's hilarious! But...uh...no! I can see it now...DH asking me, "what are you doing?" and I reply "I'm V'ing the hens silly!" He already thinks I'm a crazy chicken lady...that might send him over the edge and start planning an intervention! :lol:
 
You say that now but when you start tripping over hens you'll change your mind,I know I did. I even started doing it Spock style just to mess with my hubs a little bit more. :)
Patinas said:
That's hilarious! But...uh...no! I can see it now...DH asking me, "what are you doing?" and I reply "I'm V'ing the hens silly!" He already thinks I'm a crazy chicken lady...that might send him over the edge and start planning an intervention! :lol:
Click to expand...
 
@Chickassan So do you think Spocking the hens encourages egg laying or is it just tripping prevention? If they like the Spocking, wouldn't that encourage more squatting thus upping your odds of tripping? ...still laughing!
 
Patinas said:
That's hilarious! But...uh...no! I can see it now...DH asking me, "what are you doing?" and I reply "I'm V'ing the hens silly!" He already thinks I'm a crazy chicken lady...that might send him over the edge and start planning an intervention! :lol:
Click to expand...

My husband is planning an intervention already because I keep scooping up chickens and feeling their pelvis to try to determine how close they are to laying... he keeps asking me if I need alone time with them. Lol
 
Frazzemrat1 said:
My husband is planning an intervention already because I keep scooping up chickens and feeling their pelvis to try to determine how close they are to laying... he keeps asking me if I need alone time with them. Lol
Click to expand...

Love it! Mine's already caught me trying to chicken chat with them and he said, "Tell me you aren't trying to talk to them". I had to answer..."Of course I am! And you should be careful because they tell me everything you do when you think I'm not looking!" That was when he decided I had become the crazy chicken lady. So I'm sure if I started spocking the hens, he would be extremely concerned and start calling some mental health professionals! lol
 

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