Pecking Order ~ Any one with a saucy hen??

[sparkleeyes]

Well I am learning a lot about chicken behavior by observing. I am a newbie with 13 hens, as of about a week ago. But I wanted to know about the pecking. Do you have 'saucy' hens? One of our white ones was doing a bit of pecking today on the younger poulets, of which we have 5. She seems like a bit of a bully, and it kind of stresses ME out!

Is this normal?? Anyone else want to share their experiences???

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I am new with a flock of 6 15 week old pullets and a 19 week old cockerel. I got the girls together from the farm store and from day one one of my BO took charge and is now obviously top girl, her name is "Bossy Bertha". She even stands up to the cockerel from time to time. It is normal as long as no blood/excessive pecking is happening.They will sort it out.

 

[JanetS]

I have a white leghorn hen that is food aggressive. No problems with her until the treats come out. It has gotten so bad we have to lock her in the coop while the other chickens eat. We hope with time she will learn to stop pecking at her sisters. Chicken time out. I never thought I would be doing that.

 

[Den in Penn]

I have seen that many times. Some of them get a little aggressive when proving they are higher in the pecking order then the lower in the order. It can look brutal to us, but chickens expect it. If there are no injuries, take a deep breath and repeat, its just the pecking order.