Why did one hen start attacking another hen?

[soosandecker]

Hi, we have 3 barred rock and 3 ameriquanas that are about a 1 1/2 years old, and they have been together since they were chicks. Yesterday one of the barreds started attacking one of the other hens, and only that hen, she seems to have no problems with anyone else. They have a ridiculous amount of room in their coup and their roost, always have plenty of food and water. I let georgina, the one that was being picked on, out and she is running free on the lawn. I waited for about 5 hrs. thinking, tiny brains she will forget all about it, but as soon as I put georgina back in the pen, broody (the offender) came right back at her again. jumping on her back pecking pulling feathers. I separated them last night but this morning again as soon as broody could get at georgie it started all over again.
Why did broody start attacking?
What can I do to stop it and get back the happy family?

 

[Johnn]

It's just the pecking order changing. Broody was probably below the other hen and she decided she wanted to move up in the pecking order, so she challenged her and won the fight. She will now be asserting her dominance. It should calm down in a few days, if it doesn't or gets worse try some anti peck spray. Some say it works, others say it doesn't if it really gets bad separate broody for a week or allow them to free range more. I wouldn't worry though if I was you. Also is "broody" actually broody? If so her hormones might be playing up making her aggressive.

 

[soosandecker]

yes, we named her broody cause she absolutely hates it when we collect the eggs even when they aren't even hers. Thanks, we'll see how it goes today.

 

[Johnn]

yes, we named her broody cause she absolutely hates it when we collect the eggs even when they aren't even hers. Thanks, we'll see how it goes today.

If you can maybes you should give her some fertile eggs to keep her happy and away from the others. But I guess that depends on your circumstances.

 

[BubbaLikesIt]

I agree. Broody needs to "mama" for awhile.

 

[soosandecker]

So it did take a couple of days but Broodie isn't attacking Georgie anymore. She is still trying to prevent her from eating or standing near her, but at least she isn't jumping on her back and pecking at her anymore. It was really hard for me to just stand back and watch as they worked that one out on their own. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.

 

[kiktty kat 69012]

help I have a roo named happy feet and he is 1 month old he is a sarama chick but he started attacking my hens what do I do?