Hen mating other hens

[chickenlover80]

I have a three year old hen Australorp. She has been in a really weird mood lately. She has been mating the other chickens, who are all hens too. I have noticed that my two EE's have their hackle feathers missing and they are very timid nowadays. I just moved my EE's in about a year ago with my 4 other hens. They haven't been welcoming them all too warmly, especially Cheep. She just became broody yesterday. So do you have any thoughts about this? I also know that chickens can switch genders but she was laying eggs until she became broody yesterday. So any comments would be great.
Thank you!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I have seen this a couple of times in Buff Orpingtons. I have read several people on BYC say it is normal and they are dominant hens trying to take the place of a rooster that is missing in the flock.

One of my girls I used to have would even do this in front of a rooster! But it was a new rooster so IDK if that was the reason.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

I have seen this a couple of times in Buff Orpingtons. I have read several people on BYC say it is normal and they are dominant hens trying to take the place of a rooster that is missing in the flock.

One of my girls I used to have would even do this in front of a rooster! But it was a new rooster so IDK if that was the reason.

I've read similar things on BYC also. I've also noticed my Australorp doing that to another hen just recently, and we have no roosters out with my big girls right now. She's not hurting any of my girls, so I figure I'll just let her figure it out.

 

[chickenlover80]

I have seen this a couple of times in Buff Orpingtons. I have read several people on BYC say it is normal and they are dominant hens trying to take the place of a rooster that is missing in the flock.

One of my girls I used to have would even do this in front of a rooster! But it was a new rooster so IDK if that was the reason.

Ok yea that makes sense. She is at the top of the pecking order.

I've read similar things on BYC also. I've also noticed my Australorp doing that to another hen just recently, and we have no roosters out with my big girls right now. She's not hurting any of my girls, so I figure I'll just let her figure it out.

ok thank you for the advice

 

[chickenlover80]

And I am pretty sure Australorp's have a dominant gene.

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

They seem to. I've only had 2, but they were dominant girls!

 

[jtn42248]

I have a Dominique hen that has started doing this with my other 23 hens. And, I have a dominate Andalusian rooster. There does not seem to be any clear cut pecking order established in my flock so maybe that is what is going on. In addition she is the clown of my flock.