Can hens be jealous?

[alejaredden]

I have one Buff Orpington and three araucanas in my flock. The three smaller araucanas seem to be jealous when I pay any kind of attention to my Buff. I feel bad for her, she even has a little ring around her head where I have noticed that one of the more aggressive hens sits on her back and pecks at her. Today, I was rubbing her while squatting low and one of the other girls came right up and pecked her right in the head... She gave a little bawk, but overall is just so passive. What can I do if they are really ganging up on her?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have one Buff Orpington and three araucanas in my flock. The three smaller araucanas seem to be jealous when I pay any kind of attention to my Buff. I feel bad for her, she even has a little ring around her head where I have noticed that one of the more aggressive hens sits on her back and pecks at her. Today, I was rubbing her while squatting low and one of the other girls came right up and pecked her right in the head... She gave a little bawk, but overall is just so passive. What can I do if they are really ganging up on her?

How old are these birds and can you tell us a bit about how they are being kept (size of coop, size of run, free range, etc)

 

[alejaredden]

They are in the coop at night which stays open and are free to range all day. So they aren't being cooped up. They are about 15 months old. All came from the same hatched tray and have been together since the beginning. I raised them to be spoiled and they are pretty attached to me. They were my babies and still are. All have great personalities, just the Buff is quite a softie. Which is surprising because she towers the other gals.