One of my hens hatched this Wheaton pekin around 5 years ago (the eggs were from an auction so unknown parentage, genetics etc.). She's always had cream/buff feathers which remained the same after each moult, but this year her new feathers are in a range of colours, are much softer and shiny, and her tail feathers are now longer and more similar to a cockerals (see photo).
She lives with a Transylvanian naked neck hen of around the same age, and on and off I have heard some crowing in the mornings (although haven't manage to determine who it is). I've had a hen before who began showing cockerel like behaviours in her old age so was wondering if my pekin could potentially be changing to a cockeral? And if so, could this be used to explain her colour change? However she has no spurs or any change to her behaviour and comb/wattles. I've heard of feather changes due to receiving a balanced diet after a period of malnutrition, but she has always had a good and consistent diet.
Anyone have any ideas or experience of this? She seems happy and in good health so I've got no worries health wise, just curious as to why this could be happening.
She lives with a Transylvanian naked neck hen of around the same age, and on and off I have heard some crowing in the mornings (although haven't manage to determine who it is). I've had a hen before who began showing cockerel like behaviours in her old age so was wondering if my pekin could potentially be changing to a cockeral? And if so, could this be used to explain her colour change? However she has no spurs or any change to her behaviour and comb/wattles. I've heard of feather changes due to receiving a balanced diet after a period of malnutrition, but she has always had a good and consistent diet.
Anyone have any ideas or experience of this? She seems happy and in good health so I've got no worries health wise, just curious as to why this could be happening.
