Changing SEX?!

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of a hen changing into a rooster? My father had 20 White Leghorn hens about 8 years ago, after he had them for about 3 years he started hearing a crazy sounding crowing. And noticed one of the "hens" began growing a bigger comb and spurs! He actually accused me of putting a rooster in his coop. A Farm Vet friend of his said that he had heard of it before but never had seen it until then. I was just wondering if anyone else has had or heard of this happening. He has pictures of Him/Her, and is trying to dig them up for me.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Yes, it's happened two times before in my flock.

It always seems to happen, at least in mine, when I have no rooster in the pen.

 

[noitulover]

i haven't heard of them actually growing spurs and all of that, but i have definitely heard of a more dominant hen in a flock without a roo, becoming a crower and ceasing to lay eggs. i've heard the hen kind of becomes a replacement roo and defends the flock and such.

 

[RhodeRunner]

Thankfully, I never had one in my flock. But, here is something interesting. http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKChange.html

 

[4-H chicken mom]

OMG I never knew this. See, this is why I love this place. You learn something new everyday.

 

[Judy]

Mine would also mount the girls.

No fertile eggs, though! lol

 

[Dustin Biery]

The mounting, crowing, and spur growth are all secondary sex characteristics that Feathersite mentioned.

 

[Sillystunt]

well you learn something new everyday

 

[EricShane]

yep its completely normal.. when you have only hens, one will act as a roo

 

[Fancie]

interesting