Alpha Hen Attacked and Killed by Lower Hen?

[dag623]

Hi All,

Has anyone had any experience with a hen who is at the top of the pecking order being attacked and killed by another hen of lower status? We just had this situation occur and are wondering what could have prompted this.

I did not witness the events, but my 10 yr old says that the lower hen (a Red Star) launched an un-provoked attack on the alpha (a NH Red), which led to the rooster breaking them up. The alpha then laid down, and my daughter saw blood coming out of it's mouth. Minutes later, she was dead.

We have isolated the attacking hen and plan on dealing with her in the ways of Colonel Sanders but wonder if anyone has seen this type of situation before. We free range them all day long, so they are only cooped up at night. The attacking hen has been aggressive lately, pecking at our new younger ones when we let them out of their run, and the other lower hens, but up to this point has not done anything to the NH Red.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry! It's good that the attack was witnessed, because it's unusual for hens to be that aggressive. She needs to be dinner! I've not been happy with sex-links, red stars, or production reds in my mixed flock, because they have been feather pickers and generally too tough on the other birds. Never that bad, though. Mary