Darn it, one of my "hens" is... crowing!! Now what?

[hensonly]

HI,

Either someone wasn't paying attention, or sex link gender ID is not entirely accurate - one of my "pullets" is crowing. I really didn't want a roo, but he can stay if he behaves - my question is, at what age would I see aggressive behavior if he is going to develop in that direction? They're 11 weeks now.

I hope he stays nice; he's a gorgeous bird, though I don't know what mix of breeds - he's white with dark brown feathers on his back, like a small cape, and a few dark feathers in his wings, though you don't see them much unless he spreads them. Any ideas?

Also, if he stays, are my hens likely to go broody, or has that been bred out of the gold sex links?

Thanks for any input.

 

[jenjscott]

He's probably a roo gold sex link. He won't make the hens go broody. They will or won't go broody as they see fit, irregardless of the surrounding world!

Most of your egg breeds are not very broody.

 

[Davaroo]

HI,
HI

Either someone wasn't paying attention, or sex link gender ID is not entirely accurate.
Possibly the first, certainly the latter. Aside from sex-linked traits, sexing is more art than science. There is normally a 5-10% allowance.

one of my "pullets" is crowing.
It happens

I really didn't want a roo, but he can stay if he behaves - my question is, at what age would I see aggressive behavior if he is going to develop in that direction? They're 11 weeks now.
Soon, by 16 weeks. Can you define aggressive?
If you want a Marvin Milquetoast rooster, well, you may not like any of them.
If you can accept him for what he is and adapt to his ways, then you will find him both fascinating and useful.

Also, if he stays, are my hens likely to go broody, or has that been bred out of the gold sex links?
Not bred out. A typical crossing for a Golden SL is White Rock femme with the silver factor crossed with a New Hampshire cock to produce the Golden Comet.
These are not breeds with the broody bred out, by any means.
It is a hens nature to become broody. Gold SL's retain that, yet some do it more than others. I used to have a BR cross that never went UNBROODY.
And the hen will do it whether there is a cock around, or not.

 

[lurky]

I would handle him alot so he is used to you. I had one rooster who had some problems at 5 weeks old that required me to handle him alot. He was my little buddy. He is a year old now and has only show anger toward the waterer i was delivering to them with fresh water. Apparently some roo's dont like red

He would follow me and as i go to flip the water over and place it on a cinder block.....he kicks the red bottom

But keep handling him often.

 

[hinkjc]

Not to get your hopes up or anything, but a top hen will crow in the absence of a rooster. Are you sure? Can you post a pic?

Jody

 

[ravenfeathers]

Quote:
i was going to say this same thing. trust me, my hen is definitely a hen, eggs and all, but that doesn't keep her from crowing all morning, every morning *grumble grumble grumble*....

 

[BowChickaBowMow]

Quote:
i was going to say this same thing. trust me, my hen is definitely a hen, eggs and all, but that doesn't keep her from crowing all morning, every morning *grumble grumble grumble*....

LOL! That's so funny! I didn't know they did this!

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
i was going to say this same thing. trust me, my hen is definitely a hen, eggs and all, but that doesn't keep her from crowing all morning, every morning *grumble grumble grumble*....

LOL! That's so funny! I didn't know they did this!

Its called "hen crowing" and, oh yeah, some will do it.

 

[Chowder]

My "queen" does it too . . . . and people think she is a rooster . . . but she lays eggs!

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

LOL I Hope my hens crow! I want all sorts of crowing here. LOVE to hear crowing! And I have no close neighbors...the closest ones love crowing too

They are farmers and up with the sun.