Hen attacking the hen I'm holding!?

[lablover]

Tonight while the chickens (3 1/2 months old) were getting ready for bed lol, I went in the coop and held the new girl that was introduced a couple of weeks ago. She sqawked a bit as she is not used to being held, and one of the top hens (possibly the top hen) came over, hackles up, and started pecking and attacking the hen I was holding. I wasn't sure what to do, so I lightly tapped her head until she walked off. I did the same when she came back, and after a few taps, she left. What should I have done, and why did she do that? The roo was up on the roost, unconcerned.

 

[fried green eggs]

I don't know but, I think you did the right thing. The top hen needs to understand you out-rank her and the new chicken needs to understand - you will protect her ,when she lets you hold her.

 

[lablover]

That's what I was thinking, but I wanted to be sure!