Do hens mount each other?!?!?!

[Habibs Hens]

look like a black rock hybrid

marans crossed with a RIR (slate legs and no feathering)

 

[Chicks Galore3]

look like a black rock hybrid

marans crossed with a RIR (slate legs and no feathering)

wow they look like Polly and Attila. (my chickens.) So, what eggs to they lay and all that?

 

[RedDrgn]

I've never had a hen try to mount another hen, though from what you described it sounds like they were only fighting (pecking order thing), because the aggressor will go for the back of the head/neck.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've seen a dominant hen mount a non-dominant hen (including vent touching) in a flock that did not have a dominant rooster. It is purely dominant behavior. It does not mean she is bent or warped. It means she is the boss.

That dominant hen continued to do it right in front of a young rooster to show she was still dominant over him. He would not interfere. But once he matured enough to take over the flock, if she tried it in front of him, he would knock her off and mount her. And she would squat for him.

 

[janinepeters]

I've seen a dominant hen mount a non-dominant hen (including vent touching) in a flock that did not have a dominant rooster.

I have a hen that does this occasionally, in my currently roo-less flock.

 

[momof17chicks]

I have a RIR hen who has been so sweet. Lately she has been mounting the other hens. It is so weird! She is also knocking the bantam rooster off the hens. So it's normal ??

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have a RIR hen who has been so sweet. Lately she has been mounting the other hens. It is so weird! She is also knocking the bantam rooster off the hens. So it's normal ??

She is dominant and is telling the bantam rooster that she is over him as well...I have only seen that behavior in two Buff Orpington hens- not my other breeds. It is considered normal but now I have some cockerels growing out so hopefully they will stop it!!!

 

[donrae]

I have a RIR hen who has been so sweet. Lately she has been mounting the other hens. It is so weird! She is also knocking the bantam rooster off the hens. So it's normal ??

Are you positive it's a hen?

 

[momof17chicks]

Yes, she is. She's been a great layer and so sweet. She's getting crotchety in her old age

 

[CIC1031]

Ok so I am a new chicken Mom and I absolutely adore my girls! (My husband thinks I'm crazy because I treat them like my dogs and try to cuddle and hold them). On to my point, today my Mom said she saw one of my girls mounting the other and biting her neck. Of course, given the lady in question, I thought whatever Mom, she's the most lovable, docile one I have... not to mention the youngest of my flock of three... You're crazy! Then, I witnessed her doing it myself just now and thought "Oh no, she's a male!" So I immediately ran in the house to Google it... and after reading everyone's comments on this site, I feel more at ease that this is normal behavior for chicks. Although, my oldest who was the mountee did not even try to defend herself... I guess this is normal too? Anyway, thank you all for the posts...I will be able to sleep tonight!