Older Hen Attacking New Layer. Is this a Normal Behavior?

[EggWiseScholar]

If she's only aggressive when a pullet lays, she may be trying to claim dominance over the flock's egg production. Some hens are just bossy! A short separation might help reset the pecking order.

[BrooderBuddy]

Nest box guarding can be a dominance issue. Since she lost her previous flockmates, she may feel like she has to re-establish her place in the new group. Try placing decoy eggs in another box to encourage the pullets to lay elsewhere.

[DustyTalons]

I have four 22-week-old pullets (two Sapphire Sky and two Light Brahmas) and one 10-month-old Black Australorp. She survived a bear attack that killed my original flock, and her last remaining flockmate recently passed, leaving her as the only older hen.

This past week, one of my Sapphire Skies showed signs of getting ready to lay, spending time in the nesting boxes. My Australorp started guarding them, chasing away any pullet that came near. Yesterday, she got aggressive, attacking the Sapphire Sky showing laying signs. Today, I found a green egglikely the SSs firstbut it had a peck mark and was slightly broken. Camera footage showed my Australorp attacking the pullet right after she laid.

She hasnt laid in two days, which is unusual for her. Now, theyre all acting normal in the run, but Im worried this aggression could get worse. Is this common? Could my Australorp have pecked the egg, and what can I do to prevent future issues?

It's possible she pecked the egg out of curiosity or frustration. If it continues, you may need to put a roll-away nest box so eggs are less accessible after being laid.

[PeckingOrderKing]

My older hen did the same thing when my pullets started laying! She eventually stopped once they all got into the routine. Just keep an eye on her to make sure she's not getting overly aggressive.