midori Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 My Bluebelle is the same age (apparently) as my Light Sussex and Marans hybrids, the latter two having both started laying in the last week, but the bluebelle has never been as mature as the other two. The LS hybrid started to crouch a few days prior to laying, the Marans hybrid hasn't crouched at all. The bluebelle is quite flighty and won't let me put my hand on her, she doesn't crouch for me. However, in the garden a minute ago, one of the two 'top hens' came over and she crouched a bit. Is it normal for a young/low ranking pullet to crouch for another hen? Does it mean she might start laying soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 Not all laying hens crouch. My Betty has only just started crouching because she is on eggs. It took her a year to crouch. The 'crouch' fro the top chook is actually a stance so the bottom hen doesn't get pecked it is a dominance thing. She would rather not get hurt so she is going to show she is lower ranking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 She'll be getting near laying but she may never crouch for you, some don't. I have a Welbar who crouches for grumpy gingernut but has never crouched for me Makes picking them up more challenging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midori Posted July 1, 2010 Author Share Posted July 1, 2010 Thanks, I did think it was a dominance/pecking order thing, but had also hoped it was a sign of her maturing and that it might mean she'd lay soon. I don't think the Marans hybrid will ever crouch, she's a right uppity baggage! I also have two older buff sussex who have been laying for some time and don't crouch, so I have to pick them up during roosting, or I've no chance really. Fingers crossed she'll lay soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
