Question - Pullet mounting younger pullet?

[Enchanted1s]

We have three babies that we are trying to integrate with the flock. The babies are 9 weeks old. The pullet in question is just about laying age. We have been taking the babies outside during the day so they may be seen but not touched for 2 to 3 weeks now. Still too cold for them to be outside at night, so them come inside the house to sleep. This week, we have started to let the babies out to be with the older chickens while we are there to supervise. Both times, one of the two older pullets (one just started laying this week - both are the same age) runs over to the babies and jumps on her back - it looks just like when the rooster mounts the hens.

Is this normal? Is she just playing? Or is the older one going to hurt the babies? I think she is the lowest in the pecking order. We have only one rooster, one hen and the two pullets in the older flock (and the three babies). I know at some point we have to let them sort it out themselves, but these are our first babies. We got them at 2 days old. There has been no blood shed amongst our bird yet - I sure don't want to start with the babies!

Thanks All!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Normal. Its a dominance display.
HOWEVER I would discourage such behavior.

Chickens don't like getting squirt gunned. I would carry a spray bottle with plain water. Every time she does this I would give Herr a solid squirt to the head.

If she keeps it up over time she could cause feather damage and possibly cause injury to the younger bird.

 

[sourland]

Are you 100 % certain it's a pullet ?

 

[Chickassan]

Totally agree with 21 hens, it's a I'm in charge display. I had a squirt gun for that kind of stuff, i know pecking order and all that has to happen but no jailhouse politics in my flock!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Sounds like dominance.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Are you 100 % certain it's a pullet ?

@sourland I am not 100% sure of anything when it comes to these birds! Everyone here at BYC has replied that they are American Game Hen Pullets. The two of them appear to be from the same hatch. They flew over the fence from the neighbors the weekend he bought six of them. ONE of them just started laying this week. Here is a picture of the Game Hens - December 2017.


Thanks for the replies everyone! We will have a squirt bottle at the ready the next time we let them out together. I don't know why I am so scared to let them all be together. None of the older ones have acted aggressive towards the babies at all. Only the Game Hen that hasn't started laying yet. I know it is time! The babies will be 10 weeks on Tuesday.

 

[momma2many1974]

We got our flock March of 2017. They were all supposed to be sexed chicks or pullets. Well one of my pullets ended up being a rooster. He lived a very short life and he was mighty tasty. If you got them from a farm store it's very possible that your (so called) pullets may not be. When they are shipped from store to store they sometimes jump the small wall and get mixed up.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Those look like pullets to me...

And I totally have a laying production red pullet that does this to another laying Silkie pullet.

I discourage the behavior. And if it continues is cause for elimination, on my watch! I will not let another girl bald one of my ladies when I don't let my boys do it either.

Teenagers are the worst with their hormones raging. All species! But it's always the pullets still making their way up in the flock that are the meanest to any new comers. It's their only chance to set precedence for the pecking order.

Good luck modifying the behavior.. I'm sure it can be done.
The possible ways are endless...