Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

... What is the real reason the girls do it when you go to pick them up? Ive heard different stories on why - so wondered if anyone knows for sure.

 

Em x

[quickcluck]

I think it's to be ready for Mr chook

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

Yeah, thats what I thought, but somone said no, its cos they're frightened

[quickcluck]

Oh no! Really?????

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

Thats what Ive been told, hope its not true

[Chucky Mama]

Pretty sure it's for Mr Chook. You will notice they do it when they are laying but don't when they are not.

[Space Chick]

Its not because they are frightened

 

If you see the anticipation of my most affectionate girls, they crouch and look at you desperate to be picked up, and then they purr contently when you do.

 

Its a Mr Chook thing, although my girls would have a big shock if a cockerel ever ended up in our garden because they'd expect the next step to be picked up and cuddled

Edited April 3, 2010 by Guest

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

I didn't think it was fear, I read it yesterday while doing a bit researching - my girls never seem frightened, if anything, they're very friendly and come indoors

[Laura & CTB]

 

Its a Mr Chook thing, although my girls would have a big shock if a cockerel ever ended up in our garden because they'd expect the next step to be picked up and cuddled

 

[Egluntyne]

Nothing to do with fear, they only do it when they are in lay and anticipating the attentions of the cockerel.

[batcatz]

my lavender araucana doesn't crouch and she's been laying since Jan. I vaguely remember she crouched once just before laying her first egg.

[Space Chick]

Yep, I also have 3 girls who never read the rule book on crouching All of them lay fabulous eggs, but never crouch.

[Cranfield Kate]

mine crouch, widen their shoulders and stamp their feet - they're ex batts. I must say it looks like fear to me and it makes me feel horrible. pleaese tell me it's not fear.

[Gelbel]

 

Its a Mr Chook thing, although my girls would have a big shock if a cockerel ever ended up in our garden because they'd expect the next step to be picked up and cuddled

 

That is so funny and so true and would happen in 99.9% of cases for all us Omletiers without cockerels - I was actually saying similar to my brother when we were dicussing best bit of being a hen owner (or do they own us? ).

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

mine crouch, widen their shoulders and stamp their feet - they're ex batts. I must say it looks like fear to me and it makes me feel horrible. pleaese tell me it's not fear.

 

Mine stamp sometimes too, I hope its not fear either - I'm torn lol

[Egluntyne]

If it was fear, they would do it before they were at POL and after they had gone off lay, but they don't. It is hormone led.

[Space Chick]

If it was fear, they would do it before they were at POL and after they had gone off lay, but they don't. It is hormone led.

 

I agree completely

[Blue-DiamondChick07]

. I feel better again now