What is this squatting you speak of?

[Buff Hooligans]

BYC Member "SpottedCrow" coined the term "atomic squat". That's when a hen not only squats, but does so in such an extreme, foot stomping manner that it looks like a she's being electrocuted. It's hysterical.

 

[my first peepers]

First off, thanks CityGirlintheCountry for the good laugh!

I have one pullet (nearly 17 weeks) who is very red in the face...I have been wondering if I should put out the nesting box but haven't seen the "squat" yet. Does anyone have a picture thay could post for all of us novices?
Thanks!

 

[PotterWatch]

Here is a picture I just took of my one girl who is laying. The squatting is a very quick thing. If you pet her for a few seconds, she will stand back up and shake when you let her go. This isn't the best picture, but it's all I could get right now. Usually her tail is up high and her beak is tucked down, exposing her neck more. You can see in this pic how her wings are spread and her feet are braced apart with her chest down a little.

 

[sammy]

Quote:
my hen that is laying does this too, i dont even have to touch her at all, boom down she goes! she also practically flattens herself on the ground and before she does that she goes back and forth on her feet like she is settling in.
she also raises her shoulders (yes just like that picture up there lol)]

i pet her a bit as well and she goes away.

 

[punkin]

I have saw squatting from 3 of my hens who are laying. One hen gave Mollie (Blue Andalusian) a little peck on the back of her head. She squatted as if in submission. The next day, she gave me an egg. I have seen it happen with 2 other hens as well.