We have 10 hens and no roosters. My 3.5 year old son loves them and picks them all up. We have one barred rock hen "Dora" who is at the top of the pecking order. Problem is, she's very mean about it. She will run over and peck another hen in the head if she sees them eating something good. She was pecking us on the back of the legs out of the blue, but has stopped doing that since I grabbed her and held her on her back when she did it and drew blood on my leg! I just don't like how she treats the other hens. Is this normal, or is she just a mean hen? Should I get rid of her? I'm worried about my broody hatching chicks around her. I can imagine her pecking one on the head and killing it! Thanks!
You will have to remove the broody to keep her and especially the chicks safe. The broody will fight to protect her chicks, but that will lead to accidental injuries to the chicks. Dominant hens and a broody with chicks don't mix well. Matt
Dora might also be your "rooster" of the flock too. If you take her out... another will take her place. If they will be mean, only that next hen will know. If they are cooped, I also suggest isolating broody and her chicks.
There will always be a hen at the top who will peck others, the way it goes. If you take that one away, another will take her place. Some are meaner than others, but all should be nice to you. It may be hard to watch, but as long as none of the hens are physically injured from her, then no worries. They eventually know who is boss and move out of her way when they see her coming. just my opinion, having dealt with a few on the meaner side, it all works out. It makes me laugh cause the hens and pullets will scream like they are getting killed even when they are being pecked by a hen that has been debeaked. Seeing as how the 2 chickens I have that were debeaked have no beaks and can barely puncture a tomato.
