Queen hen?

[kristim23]

Hey everyone! I have heard that in a flock made up of only hens, one hen will stop laying and take on the protective role of a rooster. Does anyone know if this is true? I was wondering if it is, is it a specific breed thing, or a general chicken thing??

[Fred's Fine Fowl]

It's true that a hen will take over as the top bird.

IF there is no rooster present... as for that same "alpha" hen not laying anymore? It's been my experience that this is not the case, she will continue to lay right along with the rest of them.

There have been science studies which fiddled with hormones in hens, this led to a female behaving like a male and the study hens did stop laying and even in some cases began to attempt to crow. But this was after testosterone was infused and not a normal course of behavior.

So, the top hen is just a matter of one chicken arriving at the top of the peck order and doing as she pleases after that.

[kristim23]

Thanks a bunch, Fred!