Are chickens protective of each other? I say yes.

[MixedFlock61]

I will use my hens names so it is less confusing (forgive me, my granddaughter named them not me lol) Hairball and Gladys were pecking on Elle, to my amazement Rosie (the biggest hen in my flock) jumped up onto the roost, put her wing over Elle and Rosie pecked at the other hens when they came by Elle. I have a video of this but don't know how to upload the video.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Generally a rooster will mediate such disagreements, if no rooster is around sometimes a hen will take the job.

 

[MixedFlock61]

It was just strange to see her put her wing over the other one. The top two dominant ones were the mean ones here and one of the submissives protected her. Pretty awesome.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chickens are quite amazing, that's why watching them is one of my favorite things, you don't see that kind of stuff unless you watch for a long time, they are way more complex than most people give them credit for.

 

[Jordan01]

I have 2 hens, no rooster. Rose is very timid and nervous of me and Pearl is more out going. When I try to grab Rose to check her to see if she's healthy Pearl will bite my hand and get in front of Rose, she's very protective of her.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I have noticed hens break up fights.

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Mine haven't really picked on each other yet, but I have seen them protect and worry about each other. When the cat gets a little too close to one of the chickens, the others run over and chase the cat.
One of mine recently started laying eggs, and the others get so worried about her when she is in the nesting box. They constantly go up and check on her and make soft noises to her.

 

[aart]

I have a video of this but don't know how to upload the video.

Upload it to youtube or vimeo, then link here.