Contradicting behaviour...

[CluckingHell]

Hi guys,

One of my hens has recently started raising her head and flapping her wings (whilst making a high pitched growl/gargle noise), which I've read is show of dominance. However, I have always been a little puzzled by her and my other ladies. She always seems to be at the bottom of the pecking order, in that she often gets chased away from the feeders/drinkers and generally gets bullied around the garden despite being by far the biggest hen. Now, with this new behaviour I'm really not sure what to make of it all!

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Lee

Edit: I should mention she is one of four hens so not a huge flock.

 

[subhanalah]

Could she be a rooster? How old is she?

 

[CluckingHell]

Hi there,

I am pretty sure she is a hen (she's often sat if the nesting box!). She is about 14 to 18 months old. Picture below

 

[subhanalah]

Does she do it all the time or only when you are there/talking to her? Mine do this when I am standing near them and I'm kind of just talking and they make that noise lol.

 

[CluckingHell]

Initially I did think it was my presence that was causing it, but I left the back door open whilst they were in the garden and I heard her doing it a couple of times from the house. I was thinking maybe she is trying to assert and re-position herself in the pecking order? Do they do that or is it a case of once established, never changed? (aside from new additions/deaths).

 

[azygous]

What breed is she?

 

[CluckingHell]

Well, as of this morning I had no idea but a bit of research seems to suggest she is a Welsummer.

 

[azygous]

I take it she isn't laying yet? Her brick-red egg will verify her breed as Welsummer. She seems a bit chunkier than my Welsummers, who are ten months old now, and still have more of a "greyhound" build, even the heavier ones. Yours may have additional genes from another breed. But she doesn't look like a cockerel.

I have a very timid Brahma hen who, when she gets a bit picked on, will indignantly fluff out her feathers and shake her self out, like she cussing under her breath. Sort of chicken passive aggressive behavior. Watch your hen. See if she engages in this contradictory behavior following being pushed around by another hen. She may be shaking off her frustration.