She thinks she's a roo?? Or is she just being a bully?

[CrazyChickLady64]

Ok so I have 6 Golden sexlink hens 3 Easter eggers and 2 barred rocks I got in April 2023 as baby chicks. Then I added a true green whiting an Ameraucana and a Blue Splash Marans I got as pullets in September they are 5 and 6 months old now. The other day one of my sexlinks Hai Hai was on top of my BSM (Matilda) and 2 of my other sexlinks were on either side pecking Matilda as Hai Hai was what looked like humping Matilda. So I took all 3 and placed them in another coop/ run. Well next thing I know Hai Hai is doing the same thing to one of the other sex links. So I put the other two back with my flock and kept Hai Hai separate for 2 days. Now while she is separated everything is calm and peaceful in the main coop/run. Today I put Hai Hai back in with the flock and it wasn't even 10 minutes and she is on top of Matilda again. So I separated her again from the flock. WHAT IN THE WORLD! Advise please I don't want to get rid of her but don't want any of my girls being bullied. Also I am waiting for a roo to get big enough to go in with the girls he is 2 months old right now. I have a 6x 8 coop and a 8x 24 run. Thanks for your advice.

 

[cavemanrich]

I had a RIR hen doing similar,,, but not very often. I did not see any other hens assisting in that behavior.
My thoughts;
Just like certain people having problems identifying with their gender ,,, same can be in the animal world.
As long as your Matilda, does not suffer injuries,,, just disregard. If Matilda does sustain injuries, and missing many feathers,,, then separate HaiHai .
You may consider doing it (removing from site of flock) for a duration of over 1 week. This way,,, when HaiHai returns,,,, she will be seen as a newcomer,,,,,,, thus being seen as lowest in the pecking order, initially. I know they work their way up the ladder,,,,, but HaiHai will have to contend with whole flock,, rather than just focusing on Matilda.
If activity continues,, consider getting a Chicken Apron for Matilda.
You can make one yourself if you have extra cloth, or even a small towel.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[chickengr]

Ok so I have 6 Golden sexlink hens 3 Easter eggers and 2 barred rocks I got in April 2023 as baby chicks. Then I added a true green whiting an Ameraucana and a Blue Splash Marans I got as pullets in September they are 5 and 6 months old now. The other day one of my sexlinks Hai Hai was on top of my BSM (Matilda) and 2 of my other sexlinks were on either side pecking Matilda as Hai Hai was what looked like humping Matilda. So I took all 3 and placed them in another coop/ run. Well next thing I know Hai Hai is doing the same thing to one of the other sex links. So I put the other two back with my flock and kept Hai Hai separate for 2 days. Now while she is separated everything is calm and peaceful in the main coop/run. Today I put Hai Hai back in with the flock and it wasn't even 10 minutes and she is on top of Matilda again. So I separated her again from the flock. WHAT IN THE WORLD! Advise please I don't want to get rid of her but don't want any of my girls being bullied. Also I am waiting for a roo to get big enough to go in with the girls he is 2 months old right now. I have a 6x 8 coop and a 8x 24 run. Thanks for your advice.

that's a part of establishing pecking order. it happens mostly when there is no roo around. marans are low in pecking order.

 

[CrazyChickLady64]

I get pecking order but this is vicious not just pecking order stuff

 

[chickengr]

if you can get a roo and they will stop. I had that happen when I didn't have a roo for a short time (had 2 and butchered both).

 

[CrazyChickLady64]

if you can get a roo and they will stop. I had that happen when I didn't have a roo for a short time (had 2 and butchered both).

I am waiting for my roo to get big enough to put in with them in the mean time I am trying separating her from the flock for a few days and see if that helps.