Confused Hen

[GLA]

We have Bard Rocks, about 2 years old. All laying. About 2 weeks ago, one started crowing like a rooster! What the heck? She looks normal and still laying! Anyone had this happen? We do not have roosters, only hens.

 

[azygous]

Some hens do crow from time to time. Some sound just like a real rooster, while others only manage a weak imitation. I have a three-year old Cream Legbar hen who belts out a real crow that sounds exactly like the two Cream Legbar roosters in the flock. Actually, one is a cockerel, and his crow isn't as clear as hers.

My other crowing hen is a seven-year old Speckled Sussex. She sounds more like a young cockerel trying to crow for the first time. She revs up, getting louder and louder, and the screeching culminates in a long drawn out yodel. She's been doing this for years.

I also have another hen, a Welsummer, who has one inch curved spurs. I have another hen, a Silver Cuckoo Marans, with one spur on one leg. That's probably the weirdest thing of all. All these hens are laying eggs regularly, even the seven-year old.

 

[aart]

Had a 2yo hen start crowing one winter after her molt, did duets with the cockbird and even helped him round the other girls up during 'alarm' events. She had a full 3 beat crow. She stopped when she resumed laying in the spring. It happens.

@azygous do you have any cock/erels?

 

[GayEgg]

Haven't had a crowing hen yet, but have had several roosters that liked singing chicken song way too much.

 

[azygous]

@azygous do you have any cock/erels?

Yes, my cockerel is around eleven months. The rooster is around three months. The entire time my hens have been crowing, there has been a rooster presence. None of the hens with secondary male sex characteristics have engaged in dominance behavior.