Chicken boarders

[jrsankanu]

whats she doing and is she ok?

can anyone she some light on maisy my troublesome white star. over the last few days shes been acting up shes is now 15 weeks had her since 5 days as well as 2 others. shes been grumpy with me but also very friendly 1 second she jumps up for a fuss the next she pecks usually my ring or toes when you try a stroke any of them they run away but she has started to freeze and lift her wings slightly over her body and hold them stiff. she lets you then pick her up and fuss her ( unusual) then nips me yesterday we had our first egg im guessing it was hers wich was very small but ok covered in the yolk of a soft burst egg. does anyone knw why she has started this and is it age related behaviour?

thanks.

[Daphne]

Well it sounds to me like she has just come into lay and is squatting for you - they squat, legs apart, stay motionless and move wings away from body - because she thinks you are the cockeral . Its all perfectly normal and a lovely thing to watch. I usually bend down and stroke whoever is doing it, it only lasts a few seconds....because most of mine won't normally tolerate any fuss

[jrsankanu]

sounds lovely i guessed thats what it was why im guessing the 2 eggs re hers thanks

[Julia W]

my girls all do this squatting and I take the opportunity when they do to stroke them, they sometimes sort of stamp there feet as well which is so sweet

[gongladosh]

it's quite funny when their instinct makes them squat but they KNOW you'll pick them up and they don't want you to... but instinct wins.

[WitchHazel]

it's quite funny when their instinct makes them squat but they KNOW you'll pick them up and they don't want you to... but instinct wins.

 

I have one chook in particular who absolutely HATES being picked up normally. When she's on the verge of going broody she squats, and I can see when I pick her up or stroke her that she;s sitting there muttering "Damn Damn DAMN!"

[tracyann]

Ah yes, I have one antisocial hen Izzie who never crouches, no matter how close I get to her, she just will not do it, Lulu the Bluebell, I only get occasional cuddles when she feels like it, the others stamp their feet, throw their wings out and insist on being picked up as soon as I walk into the garden.... I never knew chickens could sprint but mine would do well against Hussain Bolt in the olympics.