Odd hen behavior

[ajackalope]

Several of my hens are pouncing on each others backs and acting like they are trying to breed. I don't have a rooster and I've had all of these girls for a few years. Any ideas?

 

[Bear1978]

Have there been any changes to their surroundings, etc?

 

[lovesfarms]

Are they on a different diet? A balanced diet? Foraging? My first guess would be it could have something to do with lacking in certain nutrients. If they have been on the same diet in forever, the feed companies can change their formulas as well.

 

[ajackalope]

Have there been any changes to their surroundings, etc?

Nothing new.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds familiar. The mating act is an act of dominance. The one on the bottom is accepting the dominance of the one on top, either willingly or by force. By being the one on top they are showing the others that they are dominant.

That happens with all hen flocks too, it's not just the boys. My guess is that your former dominant hen is losing her position of dominance and some of the others are staking their claim to flock dominance.