4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Harrietshens]

Sorry to ask another question so soon after my first one yesterday, but whenever my daughter picks up one particular hen, Samantha, one of the other hens (Layla) flies at Samantha. Layla pecks a bit at Samantha from time to time during the day, although it's not too bad and just looks like a pecking order thing, but we were intrigued as to why Layla would attack Samantha when she was on my daughter's lap. Is she jealous or is there some other reason why this happens. Layla doesn't go for any others when they are on my daughter's lap - just Samantha.

We've had our hens for three weeks now, so we're still getting to know what goes on!

[Olly]

They do get jealous but I suspect that here Layla is the 'top' chicken, and she is trying to protect Samantha from what she perceives as danger.

 

One of mine flew into the vegetable patch in the summer, and when I tried to catch her she got stuck in the Omlet netting (which is supposed to stop them getting into the vegetables in the first place!). I got hold of her to try and free her, needless to say she was squawking at top volume and flapping madly, and top-chicken Lavender repeatedly flew up at me while I was trying to set her loose.

[Harrietshens]

I hadn't thought that they might perceive us as a threat, but what you say makes perfect sense. Thank you. It's all so fascinating, getting to know how hens operate!!

[Henhathnofury]

Yes!! We become cockerels and if we give attention to a particular hen the others can react. Hen behaviour is fascinating, isn't it? I love how the pecking order can shift depending on egg laying/health etc...