Hen treading hen!

[Sue]

I'm asking this question on behalf of a friend. She had two hens and a cockerel. The cockerel was rehomed and she bought in 6 pol pullets to live with the 2 existing older birds. They have all been together now for about 6 weeks and now one of the older birds has started treading one of the younger birds. Is there anything she can do to stop this, or is the only way to stop it to rehome the bird who now thinks it's the cockerel!? The younger bird has lost a lot of feathers on its lower back at the base of the tail because of this.

 

[VALBURNHAM]

If it was me I would take the bully hen out from the others and isolate her for a few days. When you put her back in she will have to establish her place in the pecking order again and hopefully the problem will be solved.

 

[chrismahon]

It is possible the older hen has damaged an ovary and become a cockerel, but was suppressed by the real cockerel. Not that unusual. Does she crow and stand upright? Is she laying or has she in the recent past? It's not top hen behaviour that I've ever seen. I agree with Val, take 'it' out for a while.

 

[foxy]

It is not unusual in a "cockless" flock ( :shock: ..) for the most dominant hen to take on the role of a cockerel and to develop rather male tendencies, you may even hear an attempt at a crow in the morning. If it is becoming a problem then as already suggested remove from the flock, however this may be a bit unfair on her/him as this approach may take some time. It is also possible as Chris suggests that she could have turned into a erm....boyhen although this is actually a rather rare occurance.

 

[Sue]

Thank you everyone, I'll pass your replies on to my friend. She didn't say the 'hen' had started crowing (yet) and I don't think it would be possible for her to take this hen out as she doesn't have anywhere else to put her. She's only had the 'cockless' (Foxy :shock: :shock: ) for a short time and everything is still unsettled due to the new girls, so hopefully things will settle.