Change in behavior

[cozycoop1314]

I have a flock of 6. I have an EE named Sizlack who has always been top-ish in the pecking order & while sweet once you catch her, she never wants to be picked up so catching her is so so hard.

Last night, went down to close up the coop & she wasn't inside, just chilling outside. I go to pick her up thinking she'll run right in bc she never wants to be picked up. Instead she lets me pick her up sweet as can be. I put her in the doorway & she just stands there, eventually I scoot her inside.

This morning I take her out bc she's just staying in the coop. When I put her down one of my younger girls goes at her! Now Sizlack has always been on top & has always been am occasional jerk to newbies....but that all settled long ago. BUT no one messes with her bc of her possible jerk tendencies. So her getting timid & running straight into the coop is so weird.

Happened again. I put her in a cage on her own inside just to watch if she seemed sick or anything. Eating, drinking, pooping normal. Oddly letting me pick her up at any time.

Tried some outside time with her & the flock. Same youngin went at her, so she went in the cage of shame (lol). While in there everyone was much better with Sizlack...a couple odd pecks at her & she'd run into the coop scared. But mostly ok.

Is my other youngin just challenging the pecking order & causing all this....there's lots of big wing flapping but no one else is going after each other, just her.

She is growing back feathers from a molt so maybe weak from that, but I don't know. Just so weird. Is it her? Is she sick? Or is it my other youngin being the ring leader & causing everyone to follow suit a bit.

Any insight??

 

[sourland]

Once deposed, birds high in the pecking order have difficulty regaining their position. All of the pecking is to prove that she is no longer dominant. Make sure that she gets enough to eat and drink and things will eventually settle down.

 

[cozycoop1314]

Once deposed, birds high in the pecking order have difficulty regaining their position. All of the pecking is to prove that she is no longer dominant. Make sure that she gets enough to eat and drink and things will eventually settle down.

Thank you. I was trying to figure out was it a pecking order thing or a picking on her bc she was sick or something. Which came first type thing. But I did notice the younger one who's leading the pack on it isn't doing her usual squat & wings out right away when I'm out there, so she for sure is trying to get up on top.

I'm bringing the one I was wondering about inside to a spot to eat & drink & chill out for a bit throughout the day, just to be sure she's eating & drinking & seems OK & keep her from feeling so targeted. Its just so weird...it came out of nowhere. Any idea what causes them to shake up the pecking order out of nowhere?