Mating Hen

[bunsmac]

My Rhode Island red hen ran across the yard and mated with my black Austrolorp.This isnt the first time,She lays eggs but she is also trying to mate with my other hens,When she tried to mount the Welsummer she turned around and wouldnt have it.I havent had a rooster in the flock for 6 months now.Anyways I thought it was wierd .

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

She's asserting her dominance

 

[Ridgerunner]

It's not that weird. The mating act between roosters and hens is not just about sex or fertilizing the eggs. The one on the bottom is accepting the dominance of the one on top, either willingly or by force. It is rare but occasionally a male will mount another male. He's not being kinky, he's showing who is boss. Occasionally with a flock with no dominant male the dominant hen will mount another female to show her dominance. I would not call that common, it doesn't happen in all all-female flocks, but it is not that rare.

It's nothing to worry about, it is known chicken behavior.

 

[Chickassan]

Just don't look that is really the best and only advice I can give, only so much dominance assertion a person can take in visually.

 

[FlyWheel]

It's not that weird. The mating act between roosters and hens is not just about sex or fertilizing the eggs. The one on the bottom is accepting the dominance of the one on top, either willingly or by force. It is rare but occasionally a male will mount another male. He's not being kinky, he's showing who is boss. Occasionally with a flock with no dominant male the dominant hen will mount another female to show her dominance. I would not call that common, it doesn't happen in all all-female flocks, but it is not that rare.

It's nothing to worry about, it is known chicken behavior.

Actually, it does happen in all female flocks, or at least it did in mine. My RIR was particularly "fond" of displaying this form of dominance.

 

[angeldiver]

It absolutely does in all-female flocks. After my alpha Gold Sex Link died, my Welsummer started mounting the other hens. Guess she wants to be the new alpha.