This is going to sound strange, but...
I have a red star hen who is 11-12 weeks old. I bought her along with another red star from the same hatch. I also bought 2 EEs and 2 barred rocks at the same time who are supposedly about the same age. Up until recently they were developing in a similar manner, in terms of weight, look of their feathers, behavior, etc.
During the last week the red star (Esther) has started acting like a rooster. She flies over the fence and wanders towards our house on her own, stands on logs, branches or anything high she can get to and tries to crow while the other chickens are grazing, etc. I have read here and in books about hens acting like roosters in the absence of true roosters but here is the kicker... over the last couple of weeks her comb and waddles have become very developed compared to the other ladies. The other ladies have pale starts or combs and nubs for waddles, but Esther's are huge by comparison! Red stars are supposed to be sex linked, so is it possible she is turning into a rooster? The behavior I can understand, but why is she developing physically in a different way from the other ladies?
I did a search on the forums and saw a report of a chicken turning into a roo after an injury to her ovary, but Esther has not had any injuries that I know of, she is just acting butch. No signs of spurs though. I am puzzle!
Edited by esjro - 10/13/08 at 5:17am
Arrived 3/25: 2 barred rocks, 2 australorps, 2 buff orpingtons, 2 red stars, 1 silver laced and 1 gold laced wyandotte!
Arrived 3/25: 2 barred rocks, 2 australorps, 2 buff orpingtons, 2 red stars, 1 silver laced and 1 gold laced wyandotte!
