Would a hen try to breed other hens??

[mintandmyrtlefarms]

OK I need some expert advice here. I have what I THINK is a buff Orpington hen trying to breed with the other hens in my flock.

It’s been consistent behavior for the past year+, but she doesn’t crow (although she is dominant and will cluck loudly and seems to be the Queen ), doesn’t have spurs, doesn’t look much different than my other buff orpingtons, but I can’t deny the “behavior”... Most of my hens have missing feathers in their back from being mounted. I really have no idea what’s going on here. I have seen buff Orpington Roos that are very obviously roosters, but I’m really at a loss as to why she would be trying to act like a rooster, if she wasn’t actually one... Here are some pics (including one of the missing back feathers).

The only difference that I do see, as that she (possibly he) has darker speckled feathers hiding within the the anterior of its tail. My other buff Orpington hens don’t have this tail speckling/darker brown/yellow feathers. Hmmm. They are about 2 years old. Thoughts??

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Sometimes hens mount other hens to assert dominance. Your buff Orpington is a hen.

 

[sourland]

She's a hen. Sometimes a hen will take on this behavior - occasionally caused by an ovarian tumor and hormonal imbalance. Is she still laying ?

 

[mintandmyrtlefarms]

Oh wow, thank you for clarifying this ever present mystery! I really appreciate it! So weird, but I’m so glad to know. Thank you so much!

 

[Sammy1122]

I’m experiencing this with one my polish hens.She lays but acts like rooster and as soon as my rooster goes to breed she runs over tries pushing him then hops in the bird and starts mounting it,very odd.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Oh wow, thank you for clarifying this ever present mystery! I really appreciate it! So weird, but I’m so glad to know. Thank you so much!

Agree with both posters.. noting badly worn feathers on the buff indicate either she is due to molt or if she has molted in the recent past then parasites shouls be checked for after dark using a flashlight.

Listen, I won't let a rooster bald my hens and I'll be darned if I'm gonna let another hen do it. Quite simply it's not acceptable behavior to me. I will either re-home with disclosure, or harvest.. That's bully behavior NOT a flock leader.

Different feather color is genetics.. They're basically the same but slight variation just like me and my siblings.

Hens can grow spurs, my friends old ladies have them. And they also can crow as one of my hens started at about 2 years old!

If the damage to the ovary is enough, hens can grow pointy saddle feathers.

It's not just the back feather missing, it's the head feathers too, which is likely from the excessive mounting. But there's something more going on according to that bald crop and the missing feathers on the ladies necks in front.. As far as can tell those aren't Naked Neck Turken. Suggest discussing flock nutrition as one possibility.

I’m experiencing this with one my polish hens.She lays but acts like rooster and as soon as my rooster goes to breed she runs over tries pushing him then hops in the bird and starts mounting it,very odd.

You can't fix psycho, oh wait you can!

Oh wait.. you can!

Yep, I manage my flock.

 

[Sammy1122]

It is definitely psycho!But no ones harmed in the process.

Agree with both posters.. noting badly worn feathers on the buff indicate either she is due to molt or if she has molted in the recent past then parasites shouls be checked for after dark using a flashlight.

Listen, I won't let a rooster bald my hens and I'll be darned if I'm gonna let another hen do it. Quite simply it's not acceptable behavior to me. I will either re-home with disclosure, or harvest.. That's bully behavior NOT a flock leader.

Different feather color is genetics.. They're basically the same but slight variation just like me and my siblings.

Hens can grow spurs, my friends old ladies have them. And they also can crow as one of my hens started at about 2 years old!

If the damage to the ovary is enough, hens can grow pointy saddle feathers.

It's not just the back feather missing, it's the head feathers too, which is likely from the excessive mounting. But there's something more going on according to that bald crop and the missing feathers on the ladies necks in front.. As far as can tell those aren't Naked Neck Turken. Suggest discussing flock nutrition as one possibility.


You can't fix psycho, oh wait you can!

Oh wait.. you can!

Yep, I manage my flock.