Top hen mounting other hens like she's a rooster... Is this normal?

[Loveforchicks]

My oldest Easter Egger hen, which is my top hen is mounting the group she grew up with like a rooster. She leaves the others alone.

This just started about 2 weeks ago. She is grabbing the neck and then actually doing the rooster mating motion. Is this normal behavior? When I do see it happen, I pick her up off the hen she's mounting. It's only certain hens too. The first time I saw this, once she jumped off they both shook like they were fertilized.

This hen has either stopped laying or slowed down drastically. I have other hens with her egg color.

It's the strangest thing I've ever seen too. In the last 2.5-3 years of her life, she's never done this. I spend a great deal with my flock, so I know them pretty well down to their egg song and calls.

 

[Loveforchicks]

My white leghorn only 8 months old has been laying eggs every and now is broody she has picked the feathers from her stomach and won't let me close and she is head of the pecking order but seems how she is out of commission lol the buff orpington has started mounting the other hens and the buff will not be submissive to till I make her!

 

[Sire12]

I've just now seen this happen for the first time my top hen did it to one of the other hens, I know she is definately a hen shes been brooding for over a month now and I've only just managed to break her broodiness, I have no roosters in the flock either, she's also the only hen that hasn't squatted for me before and runs away, should I be concerned? I want my girls to think I'm the rooster and head of the flock lol

 

[Abriana]

if there is no rooster, a hen will take over-mounting the others and crowing. This best way to fix this is get a cock who knowss he is boss.

 

[Sire12]

I can't keep roos here I haven't heard her crow yet is there a way to prevent it from happening without getting a roo?

 

[Abriana]

I just read online to give her layer pellets to rebalance her hormones. Other than that, I don't know and if you can't get her to stop she may need rehoming.

 

[Sire12]

Ohh ok that might explain it actually she hasn't been given layers for a month since I've introduced chicks to the flock so they all get growers now, il try and cut off the chicks from the adults food and give them layers again

 

[Abriana]

you should put out a pan of calcium or else the eggs will be soft shelled. She needs calcium at all times, the chick will not eat it if they don't need it, so you don't have to worry about them, calcium will damage the chicks kidneys, so keep the whole flock on grower and put out calcium until the chicks start to lay.

 

[Sire12]

Ok thanks for the help, is it the calcium that triggers the hens hormones or is it something else, is there anything separate that I can give her aswell as the layers to trigger her female hormones more?

 

[Sire12]

you should put out a pan of calcium or else the eggs will be soft shelled. She needs calcium at all times, the chick will not eat it if they don't need it, so you don't have to worry about them, calcium will damage the chicks kidneys, so keep the whole flock on grower and put out calcium until the chicks start to lay.

I forgot to mention I'm feeding them oyster shell grit they are probably getting their calcium from that, are there any supplements in particular that will trigger a hens female hormones