MamaCoop Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Our flock went down to 2 hens so about 4 weeks ago we introduced 2 new ladies. After the usual argy bargy top hen was established and everyone knew their place....or so I thought! This week one of the original hens (who isnt top...think she was number 2) has become awful. She usually makes a song and dance about laying an egg and other than that has been pretty chilled out. But this week she is awful. Everytime one of the new hens walks passed her she goes for them, she bullies them of they are trying to eat. Yesterday one of the new hens was trying to lay but everytime they went into the coop she would chase them out. In the end I closed the coop door so the hen could lay in peace. She has become a bully. She is squawking so much during the day. Just walking around shouting at the top of her voice. She is grumpy. Anyone got any tips? The top hen is just getting on with it and so are the other two (that's when she is leaving them alone). She wasnt like this when the 2 new hens arrived. Thanks x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Give her a good check over to see if there's any health reason for her grumpiness. Check for lice and mites while you are at it, and check when you last wormed them with Flubenvet. I would isolate her in a broody cage for 3 days 24/7 and that will bring her down the pecking order. Some Vit Boost tonic in their water will help with stress too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 She could really be going broody and this action is territorial prior to settling in the nest box. A broody cage sounds like a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaCoop Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 Thank you for your replies. Fairly new to hen life and so havent come across a broody hen before. Will have a read up on it! Will also give her a once over and pop some tonic in her water. I do have a spare cage so will look at putting her in that. Thank you again. Wonder if being broody is the reason and as it has coincided with the new hens, I assumed it was all connected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Could well be.... see this link regarding broodies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaCoop Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 Thank you that was a really useful video. Much appreciated x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 How old is she? Sounds like a typical teenager! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
