Newly Agressive Americauna

[ralbis1]

I have a small 3-year old flock of four birds, two Americaunas, a Black Australorpe, and a Plymouth Rock. They have never been very aggressive toward one another. But recently, one of the Americaunas, whom I always considered the loser of the flock, has started getting very aggressive at roosting time to the Plymouth Rock, whom I have always thought was the alpha hen. She certainly is the best layer, and the Americauna has been probably the worst. What's going on here? Is it time for the Americauna to start her new life as soup?

 

[sourland]

Sounds as if she is challenging the dominant hen in an attempt to increase her position in the pecking order. She'd better behave or the soup pot may be her destiny as she is not paying the rent.

 

[ralbis1]

Sounds as if she is challenging the dominant hen in an attempt to increase her position in the pecking order. She'd better behave or the soup pot may be her destiny as she is not paying the rent.

Thank you!

 

[Alexandra33]

Do as you wish with your flock, but this behavior happens to be completely normal. Hens will challenge each other's dominance....it's just a fact of life. The pecking order is subject to shifts here and there. Aggression can become magnified around mealtime and roosting, or whenever else competition seems necessary.

Unless feathers are being plucked excessively/blood drawn, it's usually not a serious issue.

~Alex

 

[ralbis1]

Do as you wish with your flock, but this behavior happens to be completely normal. Hens will challenge each other's dominance....it's just a fact of life. The pecking order is subject to shifts here and there. Aggression can become magnified around mealtime and roosting, or whenever else competition seems necessary.

Unless feathers are being plucked excessively/blood drawn, it's usually not a serious issue.

~Alex

Thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I agree with both other posters... but noting your "Americana" is likely an Easter Egger and should technically according to genetics lay less eggs per week than the other two breed you mention. Really EE have never been truly consistent layers for me.

If your top hen is suddenly being challenged... maybe there is weakness or subtle illness that you can't see or notice going on that the other hen has sensed?

If soup is a possibility, you don't seem fond of the bird anyways... do yourself a favor and handle it!