Crowing hen?

[lilbeastpdx]

There's an interesting article on Feathersite that explains how sometimes a sex change will occur in poultry. Briefly, even though hens have 2 ovaries, only one normally functions. If that one stops functioning, the other takes over but produces more testosterone. Not only will a bird start crowing but other physical changes can occur. There are photos accompanying the article if anyone wants to read it:
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKChange.html

I've read about this before, though I think my bird is a bit too young (5 months). I do think she may be mimicking the actual rooster that is crowing all day long. She really looks nothing like a boy in my opinion, and throughout the day she clucks like the other girls.

 

[Michael OShay]

Michael,

So that bird in question crowed again today. I took two videos so you could hear it in one, and see it in the other. She only crows after the actual rooster finishes crowing, and while the rooster crows throughout the day, I only hear her do this around 8am--until I open the coop and let them out. Should I wait? This bird has no wattles and her comb is still only pink. The feathering looks like a hen too. What do you think now? Is she mimicking the rooster? Should I still wait?

That is definitely a crow and hearing it, I can see why some BYC members may think it is a cockerel. But everything else about that bird says, pullet, so I'm thinking you have a very rare case where a younger pullet in a flock with roosters is crowing. Either that or the is the best "stealth cockerel" I've ever seen. ) You might PM donrae at https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/60960/donrae and get donraes' opinion. Donrae is as good or better at sexing birds as any BYC member. I would keep her and give her plenty of time to start laying. If it hasn't laid by the time it's 8 months old then I would assume it's a "stealth" cockerel.

 

[lilbeastpdx]

That is definitely a crow and hearing it, I can see why some BYC members may think it is a cockerel. But everything else about that bird says, pullet, so I'm thinking you have a very rare case where a younger pullet in a flock with roosters is crowing. Either that or the is the best "stealth cockerel" I've ever seen. ) You might PM donrae at https://www.backyardchickens.com/u/60960/donrae and get donraes' opinion. Donrae is as good or better at sexing birds as any BYC member. I would keep her and give her plenty of time to start laying. If it hasn't laid by the time it's 8 months old then I would assume it's a "stealth" cockerel. 

Thanks for the tip Michael. I will PM Donrae like you suggest. On another thread ppl are adamant that pullets don't crow. Ever. Pretty amazing how vastly different opinions can be on this topic!

 

[Michael OShay]

Thanks for the tip Michael. I will PM Donrae like you suggest. On another thread ppl are adamant that pullets don't crow. Ever. Pretty amazing how vastly different opinions can be on this topic!

You're welcome. I am curious what donrae will say about this one. )

 

[lilbeastpdx]

I'll send you what she said, but she's convinced it's a pullet still. I wasn't expecting that!"

 

[Michael OShay]

I'll send you what she said, but she's convinced it's a pullet still.

I wasn't expecting that!"

As I said earlier, I agree with her. I think you have a crowing pullet and she will start laying at some point.

 

[lilbeastpdx]

God I hope you're right. I really really do. I watched her tonight and she looks like a total girl. Sigh...

 

[lilbeastpdx]

Last night I got rid of the crowing rooster (a rooster for sure), and this morning? No crows from anyone. Not even Lady Mary.

 

[jiloski]

 

[jiloski]

So I'm starting to think my Easter Egger is a rooster & not a hen Any thoughts on this would be appreciated? Is it just that the hens make this noise?