The Hen Squat

[NewMomma]

Hi there, I am semi new at the art of backyard chickening

and I have a couple of hens that act kind of odd when I go to pet them. If I move too fast, they squat down and don't move... Its like they are paralyzed in a way. Is that a normal thing to do??

 

[SteveinMA]

Yes I think it is pretty normal. My first batch of chickens would do this, as well as the chickens of the lady that was my chicken-mentor. My current batch does not do it though, and I wonder if its because they are full-time free range. Isn't it fun having chickens.

 

[chickenlver2013]

Hi there, I am semi new at the art of backyard chickening and I have a couple of hens that act kind of odd when I go to pet them. If I move too fast, they squat down and don't move... Its like they are paralyzed in a way. Is that a normal thing to do??

they think you're fixing to mate with them. OR they are wanting to mate. Hens will do that when they want to mate. It's normal behavior. I would get a rooster.

 

[SteveinMA]

That makes sense. My fist batch I did not have a rooster and this time I do, so they are getting all the required attention they want.

 

[NewMomma]

Well I had no idea! Wow, what a concept haha. But I can't get a rooster because I live in a subdivision I had two but had to give them to my chicken Momma mentor who has the space for them

 

[chickenlver2013]

Well I had no idea! Wow, what a concept haha. But I can't get a rooster because I live in a subdivision I had two but had to give them to my chicken Momma mentor who has the space for them

aww how sad but yeah they've reached the stage where they want to mate

 

[kimmiekitten86]

Mine do that, but I was just assuming they were just thinking "OH HOLY CRAP MAYBE IF I DON'T MOVE SHE'LL QUIT TOUCHING ME" lol It didn't occur to me at all that they are wanting a rooster! We may need to get us one...

 

[NewMomma]

The complex minds of chickens haha whooda thunk it?? But my girls are laying like crazy and they'll grow up without a man. I've got independent women chickens!