What do you do with crouching hens?

[Backyard Barb]

I know what the hens are thinking, but Im thinking, "I get to pet them." Sometimes I take a peek at their vent as long as they are showing off. Chicken health problems sometimes show up there and they are never still enough otherwise.

 

[Pele]

I am guilty of 'playing rooster' with my hens.

I just feel that they are showing me so much trust and respect that it's rude to ignore their gesture. I ruffle their back feathers too, and pat them. They really enjoy it, and it strengthens your bond with them. They won't go running away from you if they think they'll get backscratches from you (I mean who can say no to good backscratches?). Plus, who wants to chase chickens when they need rounding up? If they just squat when you approach, life is so much easier.

It really felt weird the first few times I did it, but now I think it's cute. Although I have to explain to one chicken in particular that I'm not her steady boyfriend afterwards. She'll follow me around for at least 10 minutes after a backscratch, even ignoring the rest of the flock if they wander away in the meantime. I'm such a heartbreaker.

 

[dianaross77]

Mine just started squatting for me. My least favorite pullet is the top hen, and by far the most obnoxious, is still refusing to do it everytime. I definitely take advantage of the opportunity to dominate them with a pat on the back. Today, my 5 year old tried and got some to squat but apparently they have no respect for my 9 year old son! I showed my husband, he found it slightly weird.

 

[Delta2 23]

I stroke 'em like crazy until they get up and walk away. Usually if I try to stroke they'll angrily hiss or bawk, so it's definitely a good time to take advantage

I mean, LT still hisses and bawks if I stroke her while she's squatting, but at least she ain't going anywhere

And one of my birds just plain loves it: she'll squat whenever I so much as press down on her back

 

[hokankai]

I rub/press on/scratch their backs as well, they seem to enjoy it actually LOL. My opinion is that it would stimulate them to lay after being broody or at POL because they do kind of get a hormonal rush or something afterwards (fluffing up and shaking their feathers). I just got my mama hen laying again after she kept crouching in front of me, hahaha.

In other circumstances I use it to my advantage and simply pick them up when I can't catch them

.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

I give them a good scratch and either send them on their merry way or pick one up for a quick snoogle. Some chickens liked to be snoogled more than others. My JG practically begs to be picked up!

 

[NixNoodleNumbat]

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I just found this on another thread.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

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x2

 

[NixNoodleNumbat]

That sounds pretty simple… I'll try it!

 

[galanie]

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