Warren odd behaviour when picked up

[Odin1918]

I have four Warren hens 18 weeks old, on of them Nugget who is very friendly and is always following me about in the garden started to do an odd thing when picked up.

The other three try to avoid being picked up but when caught they appear to be ok with it, I have had them two weeks so I'm not expecting them to be sat with me watching TV.

Nugget so times when I pick her up she squats down hunches her wings up and makes a chipping like noise. It's like an anxious reaction but she is fine and quite happy when held.

They all paper to be happy when held I hold them securely around the body keeping there wings close in one had and stroke them core reassurance with my freehand.

Any ideas on why Nugget does the odd squat hunched up bit?

 

[chooks01]

I believe that's called a submissive squat, my isa brown does the same thing so that means egg might come soon

 

[aart]

I believe that's called a submissive squat, my isa brown does the same thing so that means egg might come soon

Yep!

That's what a pullet/hen does when a cockerel/cock wants to mate her, she squats down to transfer the weight of him on her back off her legs and down to the ground.

It means she's reaching sexual maturity and should lay soon.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Yup, that's the squat! Called submissive or egg squat, that is a great sign that fresh eggs are in your forecast! Her face and comb should be turn8ng a brighter red too, all signs that eggs are imminent. Yay!

 

[chooks01]

Yay got my very first egg from my ISA brown suki

 

[Odin1918]

Brilliant thank you all and she laid her first egg on Saturday which was small but very nice