Another abuse problem except mine is a hen

[Jajika]

I read the other abuse problem and identified to a degree.

Here is my dilemna:

I have eight hens and no Roo's.

One--about four years old, is a sex-linked and mean as hell.

About two years ago she started attacking me! She would rush my legs and bite. We got over that.

Now, however, she attacks any and all of my more recent acquisitions. But she doesn't just sort of run up and scare them off the way the others do. She actuall jumps on top and bites!

If one of the newer four get close in any way she will let out a screech and the feathers around her neck stand up--sort of like when people say, getting your shakles/hackels up?

She is just mean....I don't know if all sex-linked have this problem, but I have never, ever had a hen like this.

With the others it is just typical pecking order stuff, like who is in charge of the feeding bowl that moment.

BTW---my chickens have lots and lots of room to roam around. They are not crowded in a small area. I have a 900 SY fenced area with trees and shrubs, two coops, three feeding stations and three water stations. They eat whenever they want, so no one goes hungry or thirsty.

I never thought I'd think of giving away pet. I'm a total suburban BYC person. All my chickens have names, so you get the idea. 've never killed a chicken or any pet in my life.

I've had some luck at finding homes for two chicks that turned out to be Roo's (I don't buy babies any longer. Can't stand to get attached and then run around trying to find a good home? I get them at about three months now).

Suggestions?????

 

[onedozenphyllises]

I don't really have a suggestion other than to possibly re-home, but I have heard that in the absence of a rooster, a particular hen will sometimes take on the rooster role, to a degree. Maybe that's what's happening here?

"I'm not a roo, but I play one on TV..."

 

[silkiechicken]

Without a roo keeping them in line, sounds like she has taken up the roo's role.

 

[Jajika]

Thanks everyone:

So, here is a question:


If I re-home Chloe, does that mean then that one of the other hen's will take up that role?

I don't recall that this was always the situation, but then if one of the hen's was being the "yard rooster" she was not as aggressive as Chole.

However, your comments make a lot of sense.

She is not actually causing injury to the others, just being a major bully.

I will be watching her more closely though to see if she gets worse.

Super advice.

Geri in Northern California

 

[onedozenphyllises]

Yes, it is possible that another one might step up. She may or may not be as pushy as the one you have now.