Confused Buff

[Mitcee]

I have an almost two year old Buff Orpington. Lately she has been acting really mean to the other chickens and stopped laying eggs. Today I watched her actually mount another hen. I thought this hen was just molting, but it looks like her feathers are actually being pulled out by my Buff mounting her. She was very late to start laying compared to my other hens, and she layed soft eggs for months. Is this normal? She is obviously the top of the pecking order because she is so fat, but why is she mounting my other hens? Stopped laying?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is she actually fat or just looks fat? Being too fat can interfere with hormones in most species, and could cause problems. Also sometimes when there's no rooster in a flock a hen will take the role on, so that's what could be going on.

 

[Mitcee]

Is she actually fat or just looks fat? Being too fat can interfere with hormones in most species, and could cause problems. Also sometimes when there's no rooster in a flock a hen will take the role on, so that's what could be going on.

She seems fat to me, but it might just be because she is top of the pecking order. The City I live in won't allow roosters, so maybe she is taking on that roll. Thanks for the info. Here is a picture of her.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She certainly looks healthy. I would feel her keel bone on her chest to check her weight, it should be somewhat sharp and prominent, if it isn't she's carry too much weight. Things like corn and black oil sunflower seeds can be very fattening so limit their use if you are feeding any.

 

[Mitcee]

She certainly looks healthy. I would feel her keel bone on her chest to check her weight, it should be somewhat sharp and prominent, if it isn't she's carry too much weight. Things like corn and black oil sunflower seeds can be very fattening so limit their use if you are feeding any.

Thanks, I will check her! I would never thought that she could be overweight and that could be affecting her hormones. I will keep you posted

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It could just be she's boss hen and is dominating the others by playing the rooster role. My ducks went without a male for 3 years. One hen took to mating the other hens during that time, she was the first to greet the new drake when I got one finally and things are back to normal.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

She doesn't look fat to me. Buffs are big, "fluffy" birds. I have 2 and they have a larger look than my other hens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She doesn't look fat to me. Buffs are big, "fluffy" birds. I have 2 and they have a larger look than my other hens.

That's why it's important to feel your birds, especially the fluffy breeds to check for condition, just looking at them can tell you nothing.