Unsecure chicken perches

[jenkey]

our buff orpington is around 25 weeks - not yet laying. She is a big girl as orpingtons are. Today when they were all out free ranging the buff climbed on top of our light sussex hen (around 30 weeks, laying daily). The sussex did the submissive crouch and the buff stood her ground for about 30 seconds before jumping off. Poor old Pansy the light sussex was not impressed and gave Aurora a wide berth for the rest of the afternoon.

 

I have read that they can sometimes do this if they are top of the pecking order - they almost act as a rooster. However, Aurora is not top chook, she 4 out of 5. Pansy the one she mounted is 2nd in command.

 

I'm now getting paranoid that she could be a boy but surely it would have become obvious by 25 weeks? she looks like a girl, doesn't have any spurs etc.

 

Anyone out there with any experience of this?

[Egluntyne]

It is merely a dominance thing and perfectly normal. Any pics of the one you think might be male? Any crowing?

[Plum]

Until recently my Pigeon did it to our little orp bantam who doesn't seem too put out. Really upset me at first silly chickens

 

Would watch out for a crow though at that age

[keyhole kate]

I have that does this as well nutty chooks

[gongladosh]

or maybe she prefers the company of hens

[chicken bark]

I had one like that. Silly madam.

[jenkey]

thanks, good to know loads of cheeky hens out there! I think I was just so taken aback as pansy is no lightweight but I could barely see her under the huge ball of fluff that is the buff orpington

[Saronne]

I had a Light Sussex hen who did that to my Araucana.

[reneepren]

My Speckledy mounts my Salmon Favorelle and there is an appendage that comes out when she does so. The Favorelle is bottom of the pecking order. The Speckledy still lays eggs. I have heard chickens can morph when there is no roo.

 

Renee