Friendly hen now moody and mean

[Texas Chicken Mom]

Why would my normally friendly and docile barred rock hen start to become moody and agitated? One of her sisters hatched chicks about six weeks ago. Could that be the reason her mannerism is changing? I notice she puffs up at me when I go to collect eggs in the evening after work and she is the only one that will try to peck at the bitties occasionally when they walk by her. Everybody else gets along fine. Is she jealous? The new Mom is the flock leader and she always puts the new moody in her place where her babies are concerned. Could it be the hot summer days? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

She is almost certainly a-going BROODY and thinks to hatch some Eggs herself.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Only your hen knows for sure. Your ideas sound reasonable as why she's moody.

 

[Texas Chicken Mom]

Only your hen knows for sure. Your ideas sound reasonable as why she's moody.

Thanks!

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

When she is in the Nest, put an Egg or fake Egg right in front of her and watch. BROODYS will wait and then use their Beak to roll it underneath them, which is entertaining to watch.

 

[Texas Chicken Mom]

Only your hen knows for sure. Your ideas sound reasonable as why she's moody.

She is almost certainly a-going BROODY and thinks to hatch some Eggs herself.

Really? All of my four hens are barred rocks and I purchased them all at the same time last March. This is my first flock and I am still learning about all things “chicken”. So it sounds like broodiness can be contagious? LOL

 

[Texas Chicken Mom]

When she is in the Nest, put an Egg or fake Egg right in front of her and watch. BROODYS will wait and then use their Beak to roll it underneath them, which is entertaining to watch.

I will try that tomorrow. I put them in for the night early because we have a thunderstorm brewing. I will let you know what happens. Thank you!

 

[Ruthster55]

Really? All of my four hens are barred rocks and I purchased them all at the same time last March. This is my first flock and I am still learning about all things “chicken”. So it sounds like broodiness can be contagious? LOL

Broodiness is VERY contagious, especially if your coop and run are secure.

One hen can raise one chick, and the next wants to raise seven!! They can go in succession, “tapping each other out” like casino dealers in a 24/7 environment.

Once one broody has hatched her chicks, a new one starts hiding her clutch and will then set on them.

Raising babies is a huge thing in chicken society!!

How to control this if you don’t want baby chicks at this time?

1. Collect the eggs almost as soon as they’re laid, like every 2 or 3 hours.

2. If the broody hen is not sitting on any eggs (setting on straw), put her in a broody breaker which is a raised wire cage with adequate food and water but nothing soft for her to sit on.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I agree, she could be thinking about going broody due to the chicks being around. When my current chicks were getting integrated into the flock one of the hens kept getting meaner and puffier until one day, she didn't want to come out of the nest box. Broke her immediately and she was back to normal behavior in no time at all.

 

[Ruthster55]

When there is enough room in the run, I notice that chickens co-exist more peacefully in a multi-generational flock. Introductions of new flock members (after quarantine) are easier.

Handle broody hens a bit carefully. The hormonal changes that happen when she goes broody make her possibly willing to fight or at least peck hard. Garden gloves and glasses if you need to handle her?

I’ve been pecked (no injury) by a broody hen, and I have also seen the same hen fight (very briefly like 3 seconds). Broody hens are very hormonal!!