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!
First Eggs and Completed Chicken Coop/Run <3
BYC Software Update 2025
Has impaction turned sour crop but is still hungry and energetic?
Ended BYC Poultry Caption Contest 09-12-25 Pic by fluffycrow
