Over "Breeding..." By an Alpha Hen

[Kacey Elle]

Weird question/issue here. Our alpha hen, Coffee, has always jumped on the other hens and "mated" with them for what I assume are dominance issues. Just like a rooster, she apparently has a favorite hen that she does this to: Owl. I've never had roosters (except for an accidental cockerel that was rehomed) but, based on pictures, poor Owl is in need of a saddle...because of a hen! Is that actually what I need to do? Has anyone had an issue like this?

--It's not mites/lice, it's not feather plucking.
--We've seen Owl get jumped on many times and other hens only once or twice.
--We have 20 hens total with a run of about 500 square feet and a small "pasture" that they can free range in for an hour or so each day. Coffee "mates" with Owl and other chickens both in and out of the run. It doesn't seem like aggression because of overcrowding.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Can you please post pictures of Coffee?

 

[Anime2lover]

Pics please.

 

[2 many chickens]

It's normal. I had a alpha hen that did that for a long time until I got roosters. She stopped after that. She still is one of the top in the pecking order.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Weird question/issue here. Our alpha hen, Coffee, has always jumped on the other hens and "mated" with them for what I assume are dominance issues. Just like a rooster, she apparently has a favorite hen that she does this to: Owl. I've never had roosters (except for an accidental cockerel that was rehomed) but, based on pictures, poor Owl is in need of a saddle...because of a hen! Is that actually what I need to do? Has anyone had an issue like this?

--It's not mites/lice, it's not feather plucking.
--We've seen Owl get jumped on many times and other hens only once or twice.
--We have 20 hens total with a run of about 500 square feet and a small "pasture" that they can free range in for an hour or so each day. Coffee "mates" with Owl and other chickens both in and out of the run. It doesn't seem like aggression because of overcrowding.

Yes, it can be because of the excessive mounting of Coffee. Yes, get a saddle or make some (so easy, and patterns are available free online). A hen CAN become a rooster. it's when one of the ovary fail. Very complicated and beyond me. You may want to research, but do get a saddle(s) for your hen(s)! https://www.livescience.com/13514-sex-change-chicken-gertie-hen-bertie-cockerel.html

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Our alpha hen, Coffee, has always jumped on the other hens and "mated" with them for what I assume are dominance issues.

Head hens don't have to act like that... and it would NOT be tolerated at my house, that's bullying. She would be heading to freezer camp or another home.

Maybe get that mounting hen some pinless peepers if you must keep her. Or put her in a time out out of sight and make her work her way back into the pecking order.

To me she's causing drama among a hen flock that doesn't require it.

Yes, I had one pullet who insisted on mounting one specific Silky pullet. That behavior is uncalled for.

Saddles suck almost as bad as bullies. Don't punish the victim!

 

[Kacey Elle]

Thanks for all the responses! Yes, Coffee is definitely a hen. She's a Delaware and she lays eggs regularly. No pics right now--but she's definitely female. @2 many chickens it's interesting that you mention that. This is our third flock at school but the only one that had an accidental cockerel for a few months. I'm wondering if that caused the alpha hen to feel the need to...assert herself once he was rehomed.

I'll try to isolate Coffee and then let her reintegrate. We sell our flock at the end of each school year so it won't be an issue for too much longer; I'll make sure Owl and Coffee don't find a new home together.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KQCANVI/?tag=backy-20

Here’s the link to the ones I bought! They’ve worked great.