I think I have a tyrant in my flock!

natyvidal

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Hi everyone!
I don’t think...I am pretty sure one of my hens is acting like she is the dictator of the coop!
These are my observations.
1. Lately when I am outside busy with the run and area I suddenly hear a commotion and I see one of the hens taking off from the coop area.
2. Sometimes that has happened more than one time same day.
3. The commotion is so loud that it sounds like a predator is in the coop and when I check to see what is the problem; I see the same white leghorn hen walking around the nests and it seems like she is deciding where to lay her egg. But, as soon as I turn my back I see another hen that was trying to lay her egg taking off complaining!
4. I’ve noticed that the egg laying has been diminished. Is it because of the dictator interference? And since the flock free range they might be laying their eggs someplace else?
5. At last, yesterday, I was able to catch the dictator twice...Pecking at the poor layers head and the layers taking off out of the nest.

The thing is that there are an abundance of empty nests when the dictator behaves like this. So I am starting to think she is a meany. I caught her yesterday and placed her in her own cage for observation because I think she doesn’t even lays eggs.

Is this logical and common behavior in a hen?
comments and observations of own incidents are welcomed! Thank you.
 
The diminished laying could be from the weather change...less sunlight in the day will slow them down. If she's not battering them by pulling feathers out and causing injury then I would just let the pecking order sort it's self out. That's just chicken dynamics happening.
I have a tyrant little white silkie that will peck chickens 3 times her size on the head of they look like they are having to much fun in a dust bath or just looking at her sideways. She will push others off the roost just to move to another spot after they've given up on that roost and she'll try to push bigger hens off the nest because she want to sit on their egg. But as long as I don't see any physical injuries and just feeling hurt I would not worry about it.
 
I’ve noticed that the egg laying has been diminished. Is it because of the dictator interference? And since the flock free range they might be laying their eggs someplace else?
Yes.
How old are these birds and how long have they been laying?

You might have to sequester the dictator in a crate for a few days,
and if that doesn't get the other birds using the nests,
confine the other birds so they use the coop nests.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.
 
I had several free ranging chickens laying outside the coop/nestboxes. Mainly bc they try to find a quit place to start a nest to breed. I have a run too. So if they lay outside , I keep them confined for a couple of days. And leave them outside just for an hour or 2 to start with.

I never had such an experience with mean birds but have been reading much about chicken behaviour. Stressed chickens stop laying sometimes.

And you can change the pecking order by getting the bossy hen out for a couple of weeks. That is what I would do. Hoping it will change the dynamics.
 
Yes.
How old are these birds and how long have they been laying?

You might have to sequester the dictator in a crate for a few days,
and if that doesn't get the other birds using the nests,
confine the other birds so they use the coop nests.

Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop/run for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.
They have been acquired at different dates. The first group were acquired two years ago, then a year a half , a year, and less than a year. The thing is they hang around the coop, sit in nests and hang around the run. They also are not free ranging as much as before.
 
I had several free ranging chickens laying outside the coop/nestboxes. Mainly bc they try to find a quit place to start a nest to breed. I have a run too. So if they lay outside , I keep them confined for a couple of days. And leave them outside just for an hour or 2 to start with.

I never had such an experience with mean birds but have been reading much about chicken behaviour. Stressed chickens stop laying sometimes.

And you can change the pecking order by getting the bossy hen out for a couple of weeks. That is what I would do. Hoping it will change the dynamics.
I think the key word here is stressed. I’ve had to bring in some more birds into their run and coop. They are both connected. That might be to much for them. It’s just temporary since the newbies are meant to be invited to my table!🙄😁.
They all, also had to be medicated for coccidiosis almost a month ago. They were still laying the usual amount of eggs during and afterward though. Unless there is a late reaction to the med?
Also, if they are going into molting, but not loosing the feathers yet, could that be a reason? And you are right. The length of days are shorter, and that could also be it!
Thank you all! Helped me organize my thoughts.
I’ll keep the “dictator” separate for a few days.
I’ll also keep watching them closely fordifferent behavior and see what else can happen. Thank you again! 🙏🤗
 
I’ve had to bring in some more birds into their run and coop.
How long ago was this?
Is the bully an older bird...and the victim one of the new ones?
How big is your coop and run, in feet by feet?
 
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The bully is one of my very first group and she picks on all the ages of the other ones. This was happening for weeks since it’s quieter in the coop once I removed the dictator!
 

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