What is good head hen behavior?

[Lainey-chick]

What makes a good head hen? I did a search and couldn’t find the answer.

My pullet, Goldie, is “head hen”. Just trying to decide if she is being a good head hen with normal pecking order behavior or If she’s just a mean girl.

All of my 19/20 wk old pullets have started laying eggs (except the barred rock, Oreo, who is the lowest ranking chicken). The cockerel is becoming a good rooster, treating the ladies right so far and minds his own business when people enter the run.

Goldie, an ISA Brown, is the most beautiful chicken I have. She has a big white fluffy butt with redish brown and white feathers down her back. Her beauty only goes skin deep, though. I think she has a mean streak. She bites the others and causes them to shriek. They all try to avoid her. She will reach out and bite them as they walk by, sometimes she holds on. All of my leghorns have their combs pecked, but I’m not positive it’s her doing that. One time she even bit me and twisted my skin. Is this normal pecking order behavior? Or is she just a mean girl on a power trip? She has not caused anyone to lose feathers and doesn’t draw blood, except the leghorn combs look a little rough.

I was thinking about re-homing her, but don’t want to if she is just being a normal chicken because she is a really good egg layer. But, I don’t want her terrorizing the others if this is not normal behavior.

 

[sourland]

I would expect that her behavior will mellow somewhat as she matures. Right now hormone levels and attitude are high.

 

[Lainey-chick]

So what is normal head hen behavior?

 

[Aunt Angus]

My head hen makes sure she's the first - the first out of the run, the first to the food, the first in the favorite nest box. At the feeder, she chases off those lower on the pecking order at first, but then allows them near once she's decided she's had her fill. She stands up to the rooster if he gives me the stink eye. She will also run him off if he gets too close. Her feathers are PERFECT because she's never been mated - lol! However, if he tidbits, everyone stands back so she can have first dibs. She leaves broody mamas alone and is quick to remind everyone she's in charge. Even the big ol' ducks. But she doesn't  hurt anyone. Just a quick peck. In short, she's a badass, and EVERYONE knows it.

 

[sourland]

So what is normal head hen behavior?

Constant reinforcement of the fact that everyone else in the flock is subordinate - by whatever means and to whatever degree is necessary.

 

[Shadrach]

What makes a good head hen? I did a search and couldn’t find the answer.

My pullet, Goldie, is “head hen”. Just trying to decide if she is being a good head hen with normal pecking order behavior or If she’s just a mean girl.

All of my 19/20 wk old pullets have started laying eggs (except the barred rock, Oreo, who is the lowest ranking chicken). The cockerel is becoming a good rooster, treating the ladies right so far and minds his own business when people enter the run.

Goldie, an ISA Brown, is the most beautiful chicken I have. She has a big white fluffy butt with redish brown and white feathers down her back. Her beauty only goes skin deep, though. I think she has a mean streak. She bites the others and causes them to shriek. They all try to avoid her. She will reach out and bite them as they walk by, sometimes she holds on. All of my leghorns have their combs pecked, but I’m not positive it’s her doing that. One time she even bit me and twisted my skin. Is this normal pecking order behavior? Or is she just a mean girl on a power trip? She has not caused anyone to lose feathers and doesn’t draw blood, except the leghorn combs look a little rough.

I was thinking about re-homing her, but don’t want to if she is just being a normal chicken because she is a really good egg layer. But, I don’t want her terrorizing the others if this is not normal behavior.

Yep, she's mean.
What sort of relationship does the cockerel have with Goldie?
If no blood is being spilt I wouldn't interfere. Assuming you keep the cockerel until he matures (it could take eighteen months if you're ready for that) then I would expect Goldie to back up a bit.
I would hang on to Goldie until the cockerel grows up and make your decision then.

 

[Lainey-chick]

Yep, she's mean.
What sort of relationship does the cockerel have with Goldie?
If no blood is being spilt I wouldn't interfere. Assuming you keep the cockerel until he matures (it could take eighteen months if you're ready for that) then I would expect Goldie to back up a bit.
I would hang on to Goldie until the cockerel grows up and make your decision then.

We plan on keeping Rooster (what I call him) for awhile. Right now his attitude is good around the humans, but if that changes I can’t keep him around. Rooster and Goldie’s relationship is okay. He clucks them all around the yard and they all follow, he seems like the boss. If there is food involved, Goldie will peck him away, same as she does the others. I have never seen her reach out and grab him as he goes by, like she does with the girls

 

[Lainey-chick]

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate each response. I guess Goldie is being a normal chicken with a bit of an immature attitude.

 

[Lainey-chick]

My head hen makes sure she's the first - the first out of the run, the first to the food, the first in the favorite nest box. At the feeder, she chases off those lower on the pecking order at first, but then allows them near once she's decided she's had her fill. She stands up to the rooster if he gives me the stink eye. She will also run him off if he gets too close. Her feathers are PERFECT because she's never been mated - lol! However, if he tidbits, everyone stands back so she can have first dibs. She leaves broody mamas alone and is quick to remind everyone she's in charge. Even the big ol' ducks. But she doesn't  hurt anyone. Just a quick peck. In short, she's a badass, and EVERYONE knows it.
View attachment 3239466

She’s beautiful!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

She’s beautiful!!

Thanks! I sure think so. She's ridiculously awesome.