Does squatting mean fear or favour??

Pepperpincushion · « **on:** April 22, 2011, 20:50 »

A few times recently, some of my new hens will sort of do a squat when I go to stroke them and then let me stroke them for a while before running off again.
Are they squatting down like this because they WANT to be stroked (after all they could just as easily run away) or is it a fear reaction?
I'm hoping they are getting to like me!

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2011, 20:51 »

They probably think you're a cockerel

yorky · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2011, 21:00 »

Quote from: Aunt Sally on April 22, 2011, 20:51

They probably think you're a cockerel

Thats more or less exactley what they do think. The squatting indicates sexual maturity and they are ready for the cockerall to jump on them. If they aren't already laying then it won't be long before they start.

PaulineM · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2011, 21:47 »

Definitely means they are submiting to the cockerel and if they haven't laid already they soon will be.

One of my girls whom I had had for 7 months squatted for the first time the other day and laid her first egg the next day

. Although some of my girls never squat but do lay

Pepperpincushion · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2011, 21:53 »

Interesting! So I guess they like me but not quite in the way I thought!

Two of them are laying so perhaps that gives me a clue as to which two

Does squatting mean fear or favour??

Pepperpincushion

Does squatting mean fear or favour??

Aunt Sally

Re: Does squatting mean fear or favour??

yorky

Re: Does squatting mean fear or favour??

PaulineM

Re: Does squatting mean fear or favour??

Pepperpincushion

Re: Does squatting mean fear or favour??