We have a black star (black sex link) hen who is 14 months old. She is in a pen with 3 other hens of the same age, and up until a couple days ago, there was a same aged rooster as well. All of them have been hand raised from a day old and very friendly.
A week or more ago, one of the hens has become somewhat aggressive toward people. This started BEFORE we removed the rooster from the pen so I'm not relating it to him being gone and her taking over. This hen used to be very docile and friendly, now when you go in the pen (especially if you kneel down to give treats or pay attention to anyone) she gets all in your business and will peck at you. She also stands up tall with her chest poked out and "challenges" you too when she thinks youre trying to push her away.
She is NOT protecting eggs or even paying attention to any eggs. Other than this aggressive behavior toward people, she seems to be acting normal otherwise. Since she's in with other laying hens it is only a guessing game as to if she's laying. If needed, I can separate her within the pen for several days to see if she is (we have a small pen within the pen).
Is she going broody even though she has no interest in the eggs? Or is something else going on? If this had started without a rooster in the group, I would think she's trying to take over the flock, but she started this before he was gone. She is not aggressive toward the other hens.
Any thoughts?
A week or more ago, one of the hens has become somewhat aggressive toward people. This started BEFORE we removed the rooster from the pen so I'm not relating it to him being gone and her taking over. This hen used to be very docile and friendly, now when you go in the pen (especially if you kneel down to give treats or pay attention to anyone) she gets all in your business and will peck at you. She also stands up tall with her chest poked out and "challenges" you too when she thinks youre trying to push her away.
She is NOT protecting eggs or even paying attention to any eggs. Other than this aggressive behavior toward people, she seems to be acting normal otherwise. Since she's in with other laying hens it is only a guessing game as to if she's laying. If needed, I can separate her within the pen for several days to see if she is (we have a small pen within the pen).
Is she going broody even though she has no interest in the eggs? Or is something else going on? If this had started without a rooster in the group, I would think she's trying to take over the flock, but she started this before he was gone. She is not aggressive toward the other hens.
Any thoughts?
