Will they carry on sqatting when they get older?

[TexasTransplant]

So recently my hens started doing the submissive squat pose when I approach them, and yesterday one laid her first egg, yay! My question is, will they continue to do this through their lives when I approach them (we do not have any roosters), or is it only at early maturity?

 

[Isaac 0]

Yes

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Squatting is a desire to breed. In the absence of roosters, you are their mate.
Without roosters, those that are inclined to do so will continue.
Pullets/hens with roosters rarely squat for humans.

 

[Teila]

Howdy TexasTransplant

Yep, totally agree with the posts to date. We do not have a rooster and my nearly 4 year old hens squat for me. It is kind handy in that I know when one who is coming off being broody is going to start laying again.

 

[TexasTransplant]

Thank you for the replies. I am really quite pleased to hear that it will continue, it makes it so much easier to handle them and perform health checks, not to mention being able to pet them a little and make them comfortable with being touched by humans.
I'm not going to breed these hens they are just for eggs and to be pets, but one day in the future I may get some breeding hens and a rooster at that point.

 

[duluthralphie]

Mine that squat, I like to think they are considering me their Lord and Master. The squat shows their desire to honor and please me at every turn.....





Please do not tell me any differently, I need this little "win" today.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That's quite true.

 

[donrae]

Mine that squat, I like to think they are considering me their Lord and Master. The squat shows their desire to honor and please me at every turn.....





Please do not tell me any differently, I need this little "win" today.

 

[Fluffers]

oh. i never knew. I thought they just did that because i startled them.