Here I am reading you guys posts about BA's thinking you are talking about Barred Rocks! It just clicked with me-- Black Australorps!
I have a Black Australorp too!
My Four year old Black Australorp is lovingly named after Kate Gosselin, because she is such a drama queen. She is by far the loudest in the flock and when it's time for her to lay an egg, the whole town knows about it.
She runs like a football player, she is extremely motivated by food (and she has the crop to show it!).
I love my BA. I had another that just passed away a few months ago. She was my favorite hen, and had leg problems. I saved her life and she saved mine.
She was wheelchair bound at the end.
I'm sorry to hear you haven't had luck with your BA, NorthFLChick. I have a dark brahma that is a bully as well (even though they are generally very docile). I think she's just a bad egg. :/ Great now I have that egg scene in Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory playing in my head.