Hyper Hen

[Southeast Chicken Mom]

Hi. I’m wondering if anyone else has a hen that became noticeably hyper all of a sudden.

Our girl is a 3 yr old Rhode Island Red. She’s always acted like she’s a toddler - fast, agile, curious, obedient, independent, but still likes to be close to us. Never had any health issues. Our flock eats organic grain feed and we have good husbandry. The only change recently is that she was the lowest in the pecking order, but our alpha just passed, and there’s no longer a top dog because our other girl is very easy going (the rest of our flock has died off over the last year, and we’ll be adding more this summer.)

Anyway, my thought is that she’s either overly hyper because she’s now without anyone to keep her sanctioned, or she’s nervous because it’s only the two of them now, until we add more. Incidentally, we did notice she started to grow little spurs a couple months ago, but she’s still laying and isn’t aggressive at all.

Just wondering if anyone can relate, or knows of a different cause that requires attention.

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

If it's spring time where you live, this is a period of sudden high hormones. It could account for the behavior change. Unless the hen had died recently, I don't think that would have an effect as the social order adjusts immediately to a lost flock member.

I did have a very hyper EE hen several years ago. She was maniacal in her racing around nipping feathers from all the chickens. She never slowed down. But she was an unusually intelligent and people friendly chicken, almost dog-like in her devotion to me, which is why I endured her radical ways. I think your RIR may be hardwired to be hyper. Just be thankful she doesn't have any other annoying habits.

As hens age, they often grow spurs. I have quite a number of older hens and half a dozen of them are growing spurs, a couple having spurs an inch or longer. This does not mean they are going through a sex change.

 

[Southeast Chicken Mom]

If it's spring time where you live, this is a period of sudden high hormones. It could account for the behavior change. Unless the hen had died recently, I don't think that would have an effect as the social order adjusts immediately to a lost flock member.

I did have a very hyper EE hen several years ago. She was maniacal in her racing around nipping feathers from all the chickens. She never slowed down. But she was an unusually intelligent and people friendly chicken, almost dog-like in her devotion to me, which is why I endured her radical ways. I think your RIR may be hardwired to be hyper. Just be thankful she doesn't have any other annoying habits.

As hens age, they often grow spurs. I have quite a number of older hens and half a dozen of them are growing spurs, a couple having spurs an inch or longer. This does not mean they are going through a sex change.

In answer to what you said, yes, our alpha had died just before our RIR became unusually hyper. Interestingly, we welcomed a handful of new members to our flock last week (5.5 weekers) and our girl immediately settled down to her normal self. I suspect she was anxious, and now is more content knowing she has new sisters. Thanks!