Bully hen

[ChickenTenderNewbie]

I tried looking through the posts for info already posted. I'm trying to see if anyone has dealt with a hen that will stomp, peck and pull feathers of other hens while the rooster is mating them. This hen will run from where ever she is and basically stomp on the other hen while she's under the rooster and then grab them by the neck feathers. Can hens get jealous? She's the only one that does this.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I've seen this on the site a few times, so your experience is certainly not unusual. Chickens absolutely get jealous. They also like to take cheap shots at their rivals when they're in vulnerable positions. Is she drawing blood or actually plucking feathers? Does she only do it during mating? If it's an isolated behavior that's not doing any damage, I'd let it be. If she's causing injuries, she might need a stint in solitary confinement to cool her jets.

 

[ChickenTenderNewbie]

Yes she only is this aggressive during mating. She does do the occasional peck when they are getting treats. I was thinking it is jealousy because she tends to stay with the rooster 24/7. Just worried because she is probably twice the size of the others and is jumping on their heads. I have a hen that has a hurt leg but I have no idea how she got it. Thank you for your response.