Changes in Behavior after Molting

[urbanagprojects]

I have a 1 year old Red Star hen that has recently molted and has become quite aggressive with the other hens, to the point of consistently attacking one of them in particular. She was fairly docile before she molted. I would like to know if this is normal post-molting behavior or if something else might be going on.

Thanks for your response.

 

[lalaland]

I haven't seen any behavior changes AFTER molting, have seen hens withdraw and kind of hide out during heavy molts. Your hen's behavior change might be totally unrelated to the molt - sometimes the balance/pecking order just changes!

 

[KKatknap]

Along these same lines, I have an Ameraucauna that has suddenly turned on my SL Wyandotte. The Wyandotte has just started to molt. The Ameraucauna has stopped laying, but doesn't seem to be molting, yet. Do chickens get moody when they molt? I took nasty girl out and separated her, and then my other Ameraucauna started in on the Wy. I kicked her out with her sister, and there is peace again in the pen. I have 2 Australorps and what I think is a dark cornish also, and they are fine with the Wy. They were all happy until a couple of days ago - I was really afraid the nasty girl was trying to kill her. Do chickens have crazy hormones?? This is my first molting season...

The Ameraucaunas are the #1 & #2 of the group - and the Wy is #6. Don't know if that means anything besides the A's are beetchy, but I thought I would mention it. Any thoughts on if/when it might be safe to try returning them to their fam? Am I doing damage to the group by separating them? They are still right next to the others...just separated, and in a small pen.

Thanks for any ideas!