Crazy roost behavior

[Jeffross1968]

So one of the 5 new hens we got a few days ago, the EE, does something every night that gets her pecked over and over. She'll jump up on one of the roosts, next to another bird, and then proceed to start burrowing under the hen. The hen will of course get angry, and peck her, but she'll continue, basically pushing the hen off the roost. Then she'll turn around and do it to someone else.

I've never seen this in my short time as a chicken owner. She's 5 months old, and does it to both the other new ones we got with her, and the ones that were existing here before we bought her. I'd say this behavior gets her a good 20 or 30 pecks every night as the process continues until she finally finds a spot she likes, squats, and goes to sleep.

Anyone else seen this kind of thing? You think it will stop once they get used to each other and they all get used to the new coop?

 

[centrarchid]

Yes, had a 3 year old dominique do it. Broke habit by having her roost alone for a few nights.

 

[This_chicks_place]

Yes! I have a few of the girls that do that and one of my roosters! He a big Buff Orpington and it's pretty funny. I ask him every night if he's afraid of the dark!

I think they just like the comfort of the nuzzle. In general the others will not peck they just seem to settle down on the others head and go to sleep. I think your girls will settle it soon.

 

[Jferlisi]

Ya its that they are unsettled in the coop and once everything is right and they get used to everyone, it will stop.