How to prevent Hen mounting other Hen

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

My top hen has started mounting one of the bottom 3 in the pecking order. This has been happening for about a week. The first time I saw this, my top hen was grabbing the other's comb while on top. I have stopped it every time I've seen it. I'm also in the middle of (trying, but I don't think it will work) breaking the pecking order for other behavior issues she has. For 10 hours during the day the top hen is separated from the rest. I am partially forced to put them together at night as my only dog crate is being used for a stray cat in the middle of treatment. Until I get my dog crate back, is there anything else I can do? Will she continue mounting even if I eventually do properly break the pecking order?

Additionally, I was previously using spray bottle method or patting her in the face immediately for other excessive behaviors she has. She also wasn't getting free-ranging time before this happened as well. Is this possibly backfiring and making her want to solidify her place in the pecking order more?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Every time you remove her she will try to come back and reestablish her place in the pecking order. I would remove her completely for a few days and if that doesn’t work, rehome her.

 

[Yardmom]

Yes, separating a hen can cause more disruption when the hen is returned. Each time she returns she may need to demonstrate that she is in charge. Personally I would leave them together to work it out in the way chickens do.