Can a hen crow and what breed is she??

[froggiesheins]

I

I acquired an adult black hen, and she looks like a hen but she crows!?!? We have watched her so, we know its for real. I do not know anything about her background, other than she was handled as she is easy to catch and hold. What do all you cluckers out there think????

 

[ChickenWisperer]

I don't know what she is.

Yes, hens can crow. When there is no Rooster in the equation, usually the Alpha (or dominant) hen will take over his duties - usually including crowing and mounting other hens. My Australorp hen doesn't crow, but she does mount other hens (yes, I've caught her doing it!).

 

[froggiesheins]

Boy, you learn something new everyday!! Geez, I swapped her for my roo because we can't have a roo boombox where I live..so the "yolks" on me now>>>>

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[reiner]

I agree, a hen can crow. I had one years ago that did also. I am told that it is usually an older hen or one with a hormone problem. Would be interested to know if this hen is old or young and if she lays eggs.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

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It's not necessarily an older hen all the time - dominance plays more of a role in it than age (because when birds get old, they'll generally loose the alpha spot). My hen that mounts the others started this behavior at about 2 years old, and still lays eggs now (she's going on 5 years this spring).

My friend who "breeds" Cuckoo Marans had a hen that not only crowed and mounted other hens, but she had spurs too - a good inch long! I personally caught that hen and examined her - she most certainly was a hen. Later that day, we caught her in the nest laying an egg.

 

[froggiesheins]

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I have no idea how old she is, now just from all the chickens I have handled, her legs and claws look well used, so she has to be older than 1-2 yers. I think she has layed an egg or two, wil find out from the place I got her from.

 

[froggiesheins]

BUMP! ANYONE HAZARD A GUESS AT WHAT BREED SHE IS??
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[Rare Feathers Farm]

Could be a hatchery Australorp?

 

[Cowgirl71]

I would guess an Australorp or Australorp cross.

 

[Illia]

Looks like an Australorp to me.