Chicken Behavior

[Sonoma Gal]

Hi, I don't have roosters. My 6 hens are 9 months. A little aggression behavior noted as well as one hen being relegated to the roost beneath the top where they all were till 2 weeks ago. With the behavioral change in the flock noticed one ( that has been relegated to lower roost ) that has feathers missing along both sides of her neck, seems like today the there are even more feathers missing lower down. Since they are 9 months and molting usually occurs around 18 months could this be molting or aggression? I have witnessed a few feuds but they are short bursts. But most concerning is they were all on the top roost now one on the bottom. What should I be concerned about? Do I need to separate the two that I think are the agreessors? Thanks in advance for your insight. This site has been invaluable to me as a newly minted backyard chicken! Happy Holidays

 

[Mrs. K]

Sometimes this shows up when the coop is a bit small, and the birds are now full grown, and with short days of winter, they are cooped up for many hours. Being raised together has no influence on chicken behavior, space is the important thing.

So post a picture of your set up. For 6 hens, I would want a coop that measures at least 6 feet by 6 feet.

Mrs K

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of the bird(s) in question as well would help. If you see pin feathers in the patches where feathers are missing, and/or an increase in dropped feathers in coop and run, then it's possibly molt. Younger birds can molt with shortened daylight, just usually not for as long or as noticeably as adults.