My Australorp “Turkey-Chicken”

[bulldoggrrl]

I have 4 Australorp hens, two are larger, two a bit smaller. They are 1 year, 3 months old. Jenny has always been peckish toward me and a bit aggressive but I mostly ignore her and the two larger ones mostly keep her in line, she is definitely not an alpha. She has started puffing up when she sees me and just last night while going to bed in their coop, she let out a couple of little trills ( like they do when they are happy or at ease). She was all puffed up, her tail looked like a bid old tom turkey! I just laugh at her and call her “Jenny the Mean Girl”. I personally think it’s hilarious but keep my distance because I know a cranky hen is nothing to get your face too close to! My other three ladies are just as lovely and easy going as can be. Getting rid of her isn’t the answer, I’m just merely wanting to know if anyone else has seen this behavior (especially with the trills). Thanks to everyone for their answers!

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

like this? she sounds broody. does she stay on her nest most of the time? when given an egg, does she roll it underneath her body when you pretend to look away?

 

[TooCheep]

like this? she sounds broody. does she stay on her nest most of the time? when given an egg, does she roll it underneath her body when you pretend to look away?

The first question definitely relates to broodiness. The second is simply normal laying hen behavior.

 

[bulldoggrrl]

No, she is out and about with her sisters. This happens when she sees me. She has NEVER been mistreated or anything of the sort. I tried scooting her away with my foot but the more I tried, the crosser she got! I now just try to ignore her mean girl behavior and have to laugh. I normally end up petting her but jerking my hand away before she pecks. She is a definite “pecker”!