Hen mounting hen...?

[Morgan7782]

I know this is a dominant trait in dogs... But how about chickens? I have a Barred Rock hen (laying) and two new girls, a Black Australorp and a Black Copper Maran cross. The Barred Rock hen will run to one of the newer girls and they will usually squat and Joon, my BR hen, will MOUNT the other hen and hold onto her neck feathers like a rooster breeding...

I know this BR hen lays, and she is a total hen, but this action had me confused! Anybody else experience such a thing?

 

[gryeyes]

Dominance. No roo, so she's taking the roo's position of power and enforcing it.

 

[Morgan7782]

That makes me feel better!!! I kept telling my Mom "I am sure she is a hen... She lays eggs..." LOL! Thanks for clearing that up! I have never seen it before this lol

 

[journey11]

I've seen one of mine do that recently. We no longer have a rooster, so I guess she's boss now!

 

[PepsNick]

Yes, that is just her way of letting the new ones who's boss. A few days ago I realized that the funny sound my dominant hen makes is a crow attempt.