Hi I was wondering why all of a sudden one of three chickens, all the same age about 1.5 years old. started sitting on the eggs that the other two hens are laying. when i go in and have to move the hen off the eggs and she goes into the run with the other two they attack her going after and pecking at her neck Thanks dfriveway
Hello! And . Your hen that is laying on the eggs may be going broody. In other words, she wants babies! I can't say why the other ones peck at her, other than she is at the bottom of the pecking order. Do they peck at her all the time, or just after she comes off the nest?
If she's not broody than she's hiding from the other two. Take one of the bullies out for a few days and let the other two acclimate, then put her back in. She should then be at the bottom of the peeking order. Although this hasn't always worked with a very dominant hen. I have a few very timid chickens that often get picked on. I try to make things better for them, but they will always be the more timid of the bunch. But that just means that they will always get the better treats. I've also noticed if a chicken isn't feeling well the other chickens will pick on it.
