likeastar--x Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Sorry, very new to chicken keeping and a bit confused! What is chicken crouching?? I have a vague idea but just to confirm. What sort of age do they do it and how long do they crouch for before they start laying? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 when you put your hand over their back they kind of squat down, stick there bum in the air and the wings out a little bit, apparently it means they will lay very soon buit stripey has been doing this since friday and still no egg so I don't really know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthchild Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Electricbarbarella's description is spot on Both our Pepperpots layed the following day after crouching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Ours crouch when ever we go near them, they seem to make themselves as low to the ground as possible and stay still for a while, giving you the opportunity to stroke them or pick them up. Most crouch for a week to ten days before they lay but one of ours crouched for over two looooong weeks before she produced her first egg. Hope you have an egg soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 When it happens you'll go, "Oh, that's what they mean by crouching." It does make them easier to hold but I always feel as though they are frightened of me when they do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 It always reminds me of the game 'Stuck in the Mud' or musical statues - they sort of freeze (and give you a filthy look - like 'you've got me fair and square guv, but I don't like it') Mine tend to do it whenever I get within a certain distance when it's inappropriate (i.e. when I'm walking up the garden with their tea and they do it right in front of me) but seem to know when I genuinely want to catch them as they then often refuse to do it, or sort of half crouch while trying to leg it at the same time! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleBoPeep Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I think it means they are ready to lay. I also think they see you as a male coming to have its wicked way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Two of mine crouch but one does a tap dance at the same time - its very funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 when you put your hand over their back they kind of squat down, stick there bum in the air and the wings out a little bit, apparently it means they will lay very soon buit stripey has been doing this since friday and still no egg so I don't really know. Hi Electricbarbarella, Well my winnie laid her first egg today (hurrah!) and I've had her since the 10th of July, she's been crouching for the last week or so so I'm sure you'll have your first egg any day now!! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi did your chooks come from Omlet? Mine came on the 11th, here's hoping! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 alison, I have planted an egg for dd and her freinds to find when they come round in a bit. can't wait to see their faces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 my chooks werent from omlet, and i have a feeling that the woman who sold them us doesnt know how old they are, or would just make it up if we asked. 2 have small or pinkish combs, so theres no hope for them for a while, but one has a red-ish comb which is bigger than the others so heres hoping! shes a bit like a gingernut ranger. my dads really impatient and said if they havent laid eggs in a months time, hes getting rid of them (he was joking...i hope) Come on chicks, get your act together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi did your chooks come from Omlet? Mine came on the 11th, here's hoping! Hi Alison, Yes, both were from Omlet, a Gingernut and a Pepperpot - the Pepperpot (Winnie) seemed to be a bit older though as had already had a red comb when she arrived. Agnes my Gingernut, hasn't yet got all her bits and bobs, but has just started crouching. Hope yours lay soon for you! Jo x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hiya We are so desperate for some eggs! Our first chicks (now 22 week old hens) have still not produced anything! When should you start worrying? They have good bright red combs and are eating, drinking, dustbathing but no eggs yet! Hopefully your Dad was joking, likeastar! Come on Chooks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Mrsallen, i think pure breeds are later to lay than hybrids. I have now resigned myself to no eggs till after my holiday, dd ate the planted egg for her lunch and was very excited, i feel a little bit guilty now. Mine are allhybrids but tbh I have no idea how old they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 i was a little confused over the age of my chickens as the chap who delivered them said they were between 16 and 20 weeks. I rang Omlet who said 18 weeks, but weren't sure. I said that if they were only 16 weeks they should be on Growers pellets, but Omlet gave me Layers. When I bought my extra two from Thornes, the man there said they should be on growers until they start to lay. What have you got yours on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 mine are on layers, thats what they were on where we bought them from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Well I wish the would blinking hurry up! I stopped buying eggs when they turned 18 weeks as a silent protest for them to hurry up! Alison, mine are all on layers pellets. I thought growers pellets were for meat birds who need to gain weight more quickly... ??? Sorry I cant be of any more help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
