What is squatting?

[MKetter]

I’ve noticed posts about birds squatting before laying eggs. What does this mean? Chickens are 18 weeks old now: blue laced Wyandotte (one pullet and one cockerel), one buff Plymouth Rock (her chick mate died), two Black Stars, and two Ideal 236s. Online it says all of these breeds will begin laying from 20-24 weeks, and the Wyandotte from 18-23 weeks. I curious as to what I should see with squatting before laying eggs.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I’ve noticed posts about birds squatting before laying eggs. What does this mean? Chickens are 18 weeks old now: blue laced Wyandotte (one pullet and one cockerel), one buff Plymouth Rock (her chick mate died), two Black Stars, and two Ideal 236s. Online it says all of these breeds will begin laying from 20-24 weeks, and the Wyandotte from 18-23 weeks. I curious as to what I should see with squatting before laying eggs.

If you place your hand flat on the pullet's (or hen's) back, she squats down and lifts her wings out slightly. This is how she indicates to a male that she is receptive to mating. They'll often do it just when you make the gesture of getting ready to place your hand on their back.

It's hormonally triggered and appears around the time that they start laying, whether there's a cockerel/rooster around or not. You'll also typically see redder combs and wattles, flushed (redder) faces), and curiosity about and inspecting of roost boxes.

If you haven't already, be sure that there's oyster shell available for the needed calcium, even if they're on layer mix, and consider putting fake eggs (including golf balls) in the nesting boxes, which is another trigger to the hormonal process of laying.

They also generally get friendlier when they start laying!

 

[WingItRanch]

It's pretty much what it sounds like. Pullets will sometimes squat down with their wings out when you get close to them or reach for them. Basically, they're preparing to get mounted by a male because they've reached maturity. If you don't have a rooster or cockerel, they may squat for you as you've taken the place as the head of the flock. Sometimes even if you do have a rooster.

Not all pullets will squat, though. Out of 18, I only have 6 that did this but it is a sign that they are closer to Point of Lay.

 

[MKetter]

None of them squats when I reach out to them. The Ideals use moves from The Matrix movie to keep me from picking them up. I have know idea how they learned the choreography. They have the reddest combs (after Stu the Roo). Stu is ready to mate. The girls just ran from him or tried to, which is why he’s currently separated from them.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

None of them squats when I reach out to them. The Ideals use moves from The Matrix movie to keep me from picking them up. I have know idea how they learned the choreography. They have the reddest combs (after Stu the Roo). Stu is ready to mate. The girls just ran from him or tried to, which is why he’s currently separated from them.

That’s how mine were, too, until suddenly they were squatting. I think the first egg came a week or so later.

But as others have mentioned, some never do. Go figure!

Are yours exploring the nest boxes?