grumpy turkey

[sstapp]

Hi ! We have a 1 1/2 year old BBW hen that we have had for over a year. She has been a wonderful pet and we love her but this fall she molted and stopped laying eggs since the days are shorter. Once she lost her feathers and started regrowing them she got really grumpy and has been aggressive at me (my shoes mostly) turning red, pecking hard at my feet and fluffing herself up, clacking and making noise. Once in a while she is ok but can change quickly.
Does anybody know if this "normal" fall behavior/ molting behavior? Its like she is menopausal - which I guess she kind of is since she isn't laying right now. She has always been overly protective of me and my youngest son and will fuss at anybody who comes around us, even my older 2 children but this is a first for her to act like that at me.
Any thoughts????

 

[Arielle]

Remember with molting comes a change inhormones . . though actually the change in hormones came before the molting . . . several hormones at work in a working hen so perhaps that is her way of adjusting to her non-laying season.

 

[sstapp]

Thank you for the reply! I was wondering about that.

 

[Arielle]

GOod luck with your adventure w ith turkeys.