Very aggressive Rhode Island Red Hen towards the other hens

[Castironkitchen]

"Mary Jane" has been laying eggs for a few weeks now and has gone after the title of "top chick". When the other hens are in the nesting boxes she goes to peck at their faces, necks, and crows. Even if the other hen has not yet layed her egg she does everything she can to move the other hen. Then she sits on all the eggs. Now we have made them completely pastured at this point for feed. Could that be an issue or do I need to ax "Mary Jane"?

TIA

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I have read about hens getting pretty cranky when they first start laying, so her behavior may be due to a surge in hormones. I don't know that the change in feeding makes a difference. Some people have been able to take a bully hen down a peg by separating them from the others for a couple of days.