Hen jumps on backs of others and "bites" necks - get rid of her??

[robinski3]

I've noticed this Black Minorca jumping on the backs of a couple of my RI reds and appearing to bite at their necks before, but thought it was just another bit of odd chicken behavior. Lately, though, I have several hens that have been pecked at a lot, with missing feathers on their backs in front of tail feathers, on the rump around their vents, and even on the necks of a couple of hens. I tried putting a homemade concoction on their pecked areas, which worked to a degree -- no more pecking at those areas, but instead were getting pecked in new areas.

I decided that Black Minorca was a meanie and had to be separated from the others. (I believe you can be at the top of the pecking order without being mean!) I kept her in sight of the others, though, hoping that would delay new pecking order arrangements.

Well, there's still plenty of pecking going on. So now I'm wondering if maybe the RI reds are the guilty culprits and that Black Minorca was the "policeman" keeping them in line. I don't have any roosters -- just 20 hens. I've found a home for Sid Vicious (her new name) but now I'm wondering if I should just put her back in with the others. I did put her back in the other day and within 5 minutes she had jumped on 3 RI reds and rather viciously yanked on their necks, so I took her back out. (I have 6 RI Reds, 6 white leghorns, 6 Minorcas and 2 Cuckoo Marans, one of whom seems to be on the bottom of the pecking order.)

I have to say that I haven't noticed any missing neck feathers on the Reds from her behavior -- it just looks really mean. I haven't been able to witness any other serious damaging pecking behavior so I don't know who else it might be, although I've heard that RI Reds can do a lot of pecking at each other.

Is she an outlaw or the sheriff? Should I keep her or let her go? Has anyone seen this kind of behavior before?

Her new "mom" is expecting her this week, so prompt input is appreciated!!

 

[RAWR]

i think its a dominance thing

 

[ADozenGirlz]

How old is she and are you CERTAIN she's a hen and not a rooster? Sounds like mating behavior to me.

 

[tasymo]

I suspect that Sid is actually keeping the bullies in line. As long as she isn't actually doing damage to your other Girls, I'd give her another chance. RIR's tend to be rather aggressive, especially if they can gang up on other chickens, so if Sid is actually playing sheriff, you should be happy to have a hen who is willing to stand up to the bullies. I would put them all back together, but take the time observe them, without interference (unless someone is in real danger of injury, of course!) to get a good idea exactly what is going on. It would really be a shame to get rid of Sid, and have your other chickens have to suffer more bullying!

 

[EweSheep]

Are you sure it is not a rooster??????????

 

[snowflake]

sounds like a rooster to me, maybe she is confused??

 

[eenie114]

Are you SURE you don't have a rooster?

 

[cmrosiak]

I have a Barred Rock that is doing the exact same thing to one of my Americaunas. It's so bad that the wound is oozing (not bleeding), and I think my Americauna is undergoing major stress. She's panting, and holds her winds out. I thought she was dehydrated, but she wanted nothing to do with water.... I'm worried she's going to have a little hen heart attack.

Should I separate the Barred Rock from the rest of the flock? Or keep my Americauna separated for a little while until she heals? Seems like the Barred Rock is only picking on the one Americauna, but I worry, she'll start with the others...

These ladies are almost a year old, and this behavior only happens when they are out of the coop. I never see it happening at night when I put them to bed... they all just sit contently on the roost.

No, she's not a Roo... I've actually sat there and watched all my girls lay, just to make triple sure

Any advice on how to dress the Americauna's would would be great!!

Cheers.

 

[robinski3]

She doesn't crow and she lays eggs, so I'm pretty sure she's not a rooster.

I actually thought I might have a dyke hen!

I'll give her another chance then, and try to see if she's really doing any damage. Thanks for the replies.