Solitary chicken - need advice

[fluffymuppet]

We have 2 hens, have had them for a couple of years now, and they're both hybrids (one Gingernut Ranger and one Miss Pepperpot).

 

Over the last few weeks I noticed that Princess was losing the feathers right on top of her head. She's otherwise fine. We assumed it was just bossy Henny being mean and pecking.

 

But yesterday morning, Henny was on top of Princess, as though she was a rooster. It seems like she's gone a bit butch. I had heard of this occasionally happening in all girl flocks - but is there a cure, other than getting a rooster (which the neighbours won't like)?

[chucknette]

Hi

 

Mine pepperpot does this.

 

I started out with one gingernut and one pepperpot and didnt see this at all.

 

When I lost the gingernut and bought six more chickens the original pepperpot started to do this.

 

She is just asserting dominance over them and she keeps them in line which is great for me.

 

She was great when they went through their teenage stage and sorted any squabbles

[Egluntyne]

It is a dominance thing and is nothing to worry about.

[Snowy]

My top chicken (also a pepperpot) does the same - two of the girls have even got worn patches on top of their wings from her feet, as well as bald heads (they must be her favourites ) But she was very good with the two new chickens I added, no hassle from her at all - as if she knows her place and the others are firmly kept in theirs

[fluffymuppet]

Henny has a habit of crouching when we try to stroke her - and then she does this hilarious 'chicken limbo' thing to get out of the way. But she does crouch. Normally Princess runs a mile when she thinks we might be in the mood to stroke her.