A Jealous Chicken?

[chooks4life]

I put them in the coop overnight and everyone got along. no blood. They are calming down now that I stopped intervening. I think she's just establishing herself. Thanks for all the help.

Good to hear, hope things settle into peace for the long term.

Best wishes.

 

[acates]

Ok I have an update. The new roo and hen are getting along with everyone except one specific hen. The new sebright roo Hates my red sexlink. He won't let her eat or come out into the run. He chases her corners her and starts pecking her. He hasn't drawn blood put she is so stresses. She is the sweetest chicken in the group. Why is he doing this? Should I intervene?

 

[chooks4life]

Red Sexlinks are fairly frequently mistaken for males by other breeds. If she has a significant and red wattle and crest like most RS's do, she probably looks like a rooster to him, as it's more the crest/wattle that they react to than the feathering, generally. I know when my juvenile males reach a certain size of crest/wattle that the older males start noticing them.

In my experience high-production laying breeds and hybrids, whether Australorp, Leghorn, Isabrown or any one of many others often have very high testosterone levels as well, and often mate with other hens like roosters, crow, grow proper spurs, etc ---- but they're definite females, layers and fertile, some good mothers too. Even if she's not doing this she may be giving him the impression she's male.

If she keeps not challenging him he should settle down. If, however, he's separating her from the flock, her instincts will be to rejoin it, constantly provoking more conflict, in which case you may want to consider isolating him for a few days. Bullying's not ok.

Best wishes.

 

[acates]

Wow. you learn something every day. Thanks for the info. The sexlink in young though only about 3 months and hasn't even grown much of a wattle yet. But she keeps isolating herself from the group a lot. She now tries to be by herself. Surly he will learn shes female. Thanks for info

 

[Tuhmu]

Its interesting that she's taken such a low spot on the totem pole. In my flock, and from what I've heard from others, is that the red sex links are the unquestionable flock queens. She may rise to take her throne yet, you never know.