May
We had a massive cockerel who was very much in charge except for one white female. She even defended a lame hen and helped it get food. I don't blame you if you don’t believe this internet statement but it is TRUE.Can anybody else report such sophisticated behaviour from hens?
Answer:
I keep hens and one of my hens has bigger spurs than the cockerel and she beats him up if he goes near her. She’s a mixed breed and she’s ideal friends with a cornish bantam. When the bantam had sour crop she protected it and would peck the others if they went near her.
Another hen i have raised a turkey chick and the smaller hen in the flock helped protect it. Now, if you have to hold the turkey and it makes noise (it is a year old now), both of them will come rushing to its aid and attack us!!! they are usually placid birds.
Chickens are a lot more intelligent than people think and will protect others in the flock and their offspring. So yes i do believe your statement.
Answer:
Hi,
I've seen something very similar over the years, I breed birds on a very large scale and you often see hens attacking the cockerels. It's a dominance thing, you get a top hen and when it feels threatens by another birds, it goes for it, even if it is male.
I'm sure the cockerel would have a go back, but they never seem too.
Answer:
That is madness.
I don't keep hens, so i cannot advise … sorry. Is the cock supposed take charge? If not i would separate as this is bullying.