I haven't been able to capture it on video fast enough but I will try again tomorrow. I'll try to explain it.
We have three pullets, a 7 month old Golden Comet who was here first, followed by a 5 month (approximate) black australorp and a 5 month Buff Orpington who have been here about 6 weeks. These two were shipped from the same hatchery and came in together. Peace abounded until about a week ago when the Buff started challenging the BA, chasing her around the run and challenging her. I thought it was only an issue of being confined, but when I let them out to range, the Buff still chases the BA, they will stop, face each other as in a stand off, both with necks extended and their neck and head feathers ruffled up as large as they can get. They will stare each other down for about 30 seconds or so before one walks away, it switches off as to who walks away first. In the past couple of days, the buff has now taken to running up on the BA while ranging and literally jumps on her back with toes splayed open as if kick boxing. Initially, I thought it was play but it looks aggressive to me. The Golden Comet who is the boss, or at least was, bigger and older, will sometimes run up to the Buff and perform the same stand off position. The buff always walks away from the Golden Comet and has never jumped on her back that I know of.
Can someone help me understand what is going on here? They always hang together when out, and are almost always laying in a cuddle puddle together during the day when I check on them so I don't understand the change in behavior. Is this a challenge for hierarchy? Am I going to have a problem with the buff being a potential bully? I thought that breed was a calm, friendly breed? I also thought the hierarchy was established. She is certainly an instigator, fearless and actually chases squirrels across the yard and up a tree! Yesterday, she chased off two wild song birds that flew in too close. It doesn't seem like there is no one she won't challenge. Is this normal?
If there is an article here that can help explain behaviors, I haven't found it yet but will continue to search. Thank you for helping me understand chicken body language.
We have three pullets, a 7 month old Golden Comet who was here first, followed by a 5 month (approximate) black australorp and a 5 month Buff Orpington who have been here about 6 weeks. These two were shipped from the same hatchery and came in together. Peace abounded until about a week ago when the Buff started challenging the BA, chasing her around the run and challenging her. I thought it was only an issue of being confined, but when I let them out to range, the Buff still chases the BA, they will stop, face each other as in a stand off, both with necks extended and their neck and head feathers ruffled up as large as they can get. They will stare each other down for about 30 seconds or so before one walks away, it switches off as to who walks away first. In the past couple of days, the buff has now taken to running up on the BA while ranging and literally jumps on her back with toes splayed open as if kick boxing. Initially, I thought it was play but it looks aggressive to me. The Golden Comet who is the boss, or at least was, bigger and older, will sometimes run up to the Buff and perform the same stand off position. The buff always walks away from the Golden Comet and has never jumped on her back that I know of.
Can someone help me understand what is going on here? They always hang together when out, and are almost always laying in a cuddle puddle together during the day when I check on them so I don't understand the change in behavior. Is this a challenge for hierarchy? Am I going to have a problem with the buff being a potential bully? I thought that breed was a calm, friendly breed? I also thought the hierarchy was established. She is certainly an instigator, fearless and actually chases squirrels across the yard and up a tree! Yesterday, she chased off two wild song birds that flew in too close. It doesn't seem like there is no one she won't challenge. Is this normal?
If there is an article here that can help explain behaviors, I haven't found it yet but will continue to search. Thank you for helping me understand chicken body language.
