Aggressive and Crowing Hens

[brius]

Hello! I have two 11 week old red sex link hens. When we first brought them home at 2 weeks, they were very calm and loved being around humans. They actually cried out when we weren't near them. They have been very nice and good hens for a while, until one of them started crowing a few weeks ago. At first I thought it was just one, but then the other started crowing as well, I think mimicking the other one. They are both definitely hens because of their breed and coloration. The neighborhood does not allow chickens, so we have to keep them a secret, but if they keep crowing the secret will be let out. And also, just starting about last week, one of them, Cinnamon, has become very aggressive towards us. If we reach in to grab her, she bites, and holds on as hard as she can. The other one, Priscilla, is the sweetest thing, so I don't know what to do. I don't want to have to give them away, and eating them is NOT an option. Any tips?

 

[dekel18042]

Hello! I have two 11 week old red sex link hens. When we first brought them home at 2 weeks, they were very calm and loved being around humans. They actually cried out when we weren't near them. They have been very nice and good hens for a while, until one of them started crowing a few weeks ago. At first I thought it was just one, but then the other started crowing as well, I think mimicking the other one. They are both definitely hens because of their breed and coloration. The neighborhood does not allow chickens, so we have to keep them a secret, but if they keep crowing the secret will be let out. And also, just starting about last week, one of them, Cinnamon, has become very aggressive towards us. If we reach in to grab her, she bites, and holds on as hard as she can. The other one, Priscilla, is the sweetest thing, so I don't know what to do. I don't want to have to give them away, and eating them is NOT an option. Any tips?

Welcome, and can you post pictures of your birds?

 

[keesmom]

Can you post pictures? Crowing at such an early age means cockerel. Where did you get them? I'm going to guess they came from someone breeding 2nd or 3rd generation red sex links not knowing the trait only works for the first.

 

[azygous]

Sounds like a classic case of denial. The behavior you describe is that of two cockerels. There will never be eggs from these "hens".

 

[aart]

Sounds like a classic case of denial. The behavior you describe is that of two cockerels. There will never be eggs from these "hens".

....and pullets/hens can make quite the ruckus, often louder than a crower, so don't count on an all female flock to keep your secret.

Oh and Welcome to BYC!

 

[brius]

The first two are of Priscilla, the one who is sweet and not aggressive, but still sometimes crows

The second two are of Cinnamon, the one who is aggressive and crows often.

Thank you for all of your comments also!

 

[Coyox]

Looks to me like you have 1 pretty girl and 1 pretty boy Its odd though-- the comb looks bigger in the first photo?

 

[brius]

Yes, that was what I was afraid of... but yeah the docile one if the first photos has just a flat comb, and the aggressive one in the second pictures has a large spikey comb

 

[keesmom]

Both are definitely cockerels. The first just has a rose comb, while the second has a single comb.

They are not sex links either. Red sex link pullets are usually red with white tail and wing tips. And that rose comb means they came from a mixed flock.

 

[rebrascora]

Totally agree with keesmom.... both cockerels and the person you bought them from lied or knows nothing if they told you they are sex links.