Aggressive Hen

[Annadurai]

I have an adult Barred Rock roo and hen on the property and have been adding to their number since predator issues took most of my flock. My rooster is fine with the 18 week old hens we added to the mix, however the hen is aggressive. It was bad the first week but I thought we had gotten past it as she was standoffish but not as mean. Today She had one of the hens (The largest of the 8 Bertha) down on the ground and was pecking her head. It almost looked like she was mounting her to mate but it didn't stop. After watching to see if it was just a pecking order it didn't look like it was going to stop any time soon and I removed the hen she was hurting. Put salve on the small wound it caused and put her in the other field. How can I stop this behavior? Will she kill Bertha? Bertha seems fine besides the nicks to her face and neck. Bertha and the other 8 hens are all Easter Eggers and the aggressive hen is a Barred rock.

Thanks in Advance for Advice!

 

[sourland]

Remove the aggressive hen and allow the rooster and new hens to form a cohesive unit. After several weeks return the aggressive hen to the flock. Expect fighting, but hopefully the new hens will be confident enough to stick up for themselves. Bigger chickens pick on smaller, newer , more timid chickens. The pecking order is frequently cruel.

 

[Annadurai]

Thank You I will remove her and put her in the isolation coop I have for just such occasions. Hopefully she will get her act straight, she is beating up my sweet little EE's.