Sudden Behavior Changes in Flock

[dalguiyeowang]

One of my girls, an Australorp (who is vastly different from her sweet sister!), has never been a huge fan of people and can get a little testy with the other girls. Recently, whenever she sees me or hears my voice, she will emit a shrill growl and puff up. She'll stalk around the run making this noise but she won't attack me. She won't do this for anyone else she encounters.

In addition to this, she has been going after one of my other girls, a New Hampshire Red, to the point where the NHR will cower whenever she's around. The NHR will also give up her food and get away from her.

If I pick up the angry Australorp, the NHR will start attacking my feet. She'll peck my feet whenever I come into the run, but I've always interpreted that as a way to get attention. She's normally very docile. However, if I have her sister in my arms, the pecking will become an all out attack. Additionally, if I pick up the NHR, the Australorp will get even puffier and louder. Then the NHR will join in and screech. So I'm not sure if they're protecting each other or what.

All I know is that my girls are exchanging erratic behavior and I'm worried. I thought the Australorp was getting broody, but she isn't exhibiting other broody behaviors.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

How old are they?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

A video will help or even a picture.
But,they do sound over-protective,which is rare for hens to come for the owners,usually something such as dogs triggers that type of behavior,and even then the dog has to be up to no good.

 

[dalguiyeowang]

How old are they?

They are both 13 months old. They were reared together. I should also add that we don't have any roosters and that their run is enclosed.

 

[dalguiyeowang]

A video will help or even a picture.
But,they do sound over-protective,which is rare for hens to come for the owners,usually something such as dogs triggers that type of behavior,and even then the dog has to be up to no good.

I'll have to see if I can get it on video. It's the strangest thing.
I didn't factor in the dog. I do have a GSD that gets insanely jealous when I spend more time with the girls--he's like my shadow. He will try to herd them from outside the run, so they're not huge fans of him. They could be associating me with the dog, but I wonder why it's taken them so long to make that connection if that's the case.