can chickens be food aggressive like dogs?

[filibuster93]

ok, so basic question, can hens be food aggressive?

background: my husband and i are new chicken people. we have six chickens, all different breeds. we had five, and got rid of two roos and got three new hens.when we got the three new ones, they weren't from the best conditions. they all ate for about two days straight when we got them. finally introducing the polish hen to the original flock. went ok on surface. i know they will be pecking to establish new order, but the polish seems to be food aggressive. it pecks any chicken that comes near it while eating. but then after it is really clingy and trying to cuddle up to other chickens, who are weary for just being pecked. it reminds me of when you get a rescue dog from pound that isfood aggresdive cause its so hungry. is this normal, or is there a way to minimize this behavior?

other info: three original chickens weraised from babies. the other two new ones are still too small to introduce to coop. polish was food aggressive with small ones, but also was protective and nurturing to them when food wasn't around.

 

[A Chicken Owner]

Yes. Use to happen all the time whenever I introduced a new hen into my small flock. Even after pecking order pecking finishes, the original hens were still attacking for food and be 'food aggressive' but it has stopped. Now they eat peacefully together without trouble.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It's not so much being food aggressive, it's the pecking order. When lower ranking hens come to eat, higher ranking hens will put them in their place. Everyone yields to the hens above them in the pecking order.

 

[A Chicken Owner]

It's not so much being food aggressive, it's the pecking order. When lower ranking hens come to eat, higher ranking hens will put them in their place. Everyone yields to the hens above them in the pecking order.

Correct.

 

[azygous]

I know you're mainly concerned with hen behavior, but I can testify that my rooster was food aggressive, and he would bite me when he thought I was taking his food away. His behavior was a matter of trust. After a lot of work, he no longer behaves that way.

My hens will always chase pullets away from the feeders, and though it's much better since they've all matured, the pecking order is still operational and a senior hen can make a junior hen leave the feeder by simply walking up and starting to eat in the same spot.

 

[filibuster93]

thanks. it is the new younger hen that is food aggressive. i am aware some if it is pecking order and will sort itself out some. she just seems really hunger since we got her. i am hoping once her belly has had its fill, she'll mellow some. i also understand polish hens are kinda 'flighty' to begin with, and this one definately has a dash of crazy in her. one other question: is there ever a time to interfere with the pecking order initiation, and if so, when?