Changed Behavior

[Molliep2]

I have three hens who have been getting along just fine until just recently. My black Australop went into broodiness a 2nd time last week. I put her in a separate cage to break the broodiness. Each time I have let her out with the other 2 hens, she starts to attack and jump on my Rhode Island Red. This morning, it was her third time in a row doing that. I am wondering what's going on? I would appreciate any advice or suggestions. Thanks!

 

[PirateGirl]

It's the broody hormones. The make chickens defensive and protective, good instincts to have when sitting on a nest or raising chicks.

 

[Molliep2]

It's the broody hormones. The make chickens defensive and protective, good instincts to have when sitting on a nest or raising chicks.

Should I just wait it out or get rid of her?

 

[PirateGirl]

I wouldn't get rid of her. Things should go back to normal when she is no longer broody. Maybe work on breaking her broodiness a bit longer.

In my experience the attacks aren't particularly serious and the other chickens quickly learn to just leave the broody alone.

Also keeping the broody out of the favorite nest box, having two different feed and water stations may help.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Even after broodiness is broken enough so the hen doesn't sit on the nest, there's still some residual hormones going that can make her super cranky, and that's what you're seeing.

Don't know what your set up looks like but having some obstacles in the run can help the other chickens take cover when the ex-broody is in a mood, same with additional feeders.

 

[sourland]

It's all part of the pecking order. The normal social structuring of chickens is frequently unpleasant.

 

[roheryn]

Thanks for this post, my Pyncheon bantam keeps going broody and when I let her out of the broody box, she violently jumps on the other chickens heads and pecks them furiously. Sometimes drawing blood. So I toss her back in the box. She takes forever to break, and its hard because its so hot right now. I do put an ice block in with her, but sometimes it takes a week. Strange how the tiny one completely dominates all the full size chickens, but as you say, it must be the hormones!