Pullet dominant to roos?

[LaurenRitz]

I just saw something very strange.

I have 2 roos and 5 pullets, and yes I know that's a problem. I'm working on it.

Anyway. One of the hens is very submissive and obviously at the bottom of the pecking order. In spite of this, she appears to be the roos' favorite and they're always mounting her. I have actually seen them fight over her, while she cowers on the ground and doesn't dare move.

I have considered rehoming her, but I am not sure that would solve the problem. I have another possible solution in mind, but we'll see.

The problem today, I was out there observing. She squatted for the senior rooster and he started to mount her, but the junior roo got in the way. I thought he was going to try, but here comes the dominant hen.

She essentially drove away both roos and stood there pecking at the other pullet. Seriously, it looked like "Get away from my men, you home wrecker!"

When she was done, the submissive hen just stayed there, cowering. It took three tries for the junior roo to get her on her feet.

I realize now that there's some major bullying going on, but has anyone ever seen a hen drive a rooster away? And the rooster just take it?

 

[AidKD]

Hmmm, I've have seen the hens drive away, chase, and fight with the other roosters, just like a real cock fight, but I've never seen a hen drive a rooster away fron another hen like that! Very strange. You could try resetting the lecking order.

 

[LaurenRitz]

This pullet has been extremely passive since she was a chick. I don't think that's going to change. Since she's so passive, I want to see if she'll mother chicks without being broody. If she will, I can use her as a surrogate.

Another option is to rehome her to someone who has only one or two hens, and no rooster.

It's only the last few days that she's been huddling in the coop and avoiding the flock, so I'm guessing that something changed.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Well, I was going to pull her out and separate her tonight, but she's tucked up between the two roos. She threw an absolute hissy fit when I tried to separate her earlier. Not sure if that's normal or not.

 

[Cluckingtime]

Ooo she is a promiscuous hen hmmmm scandalous

 

[aart]

How old are these birds, in weeks or months?
I'd get rid of, at least seperate, one of the males and see what happens.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Senior roo is about 2 years. All the rest are between 6 and 7 months.

 

[LaurenRitz]

I'd get rid of, at least seperate, one of the males and see what happens.

I've been planning to harvest the junior roo, but I've never done it before. My bachelor pad is almost finished.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

One of the hens is very submissive and obviously at the bottom of the pecking order. In spite of this, she appears to be the roos' favorite and they're always mounting her.

I am not sure what you mean by "in spite of this". Roosters naturally prefer to breed with the lower-ranking hens because they are more submissive. Roosters rarely will want to breed with the higher-ranking hens, as it is too much trouble due to their dominance.

Also, it is not uncommon to see a higher-ranking hen chasing off a rooster, even if you only have one rooster in the flock.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Also, it is not uncommon to see a higher-ranking hen chasing off a rooster, even if you only have one rooster in the flock.

Yeah, I'm an absolute newby. I'm figuring this stuff out on the fly. I would never have guessed that this is normal, but it's good to know.