Funny hen

[Frog1935]

Hi everyone, I am a new member with an unusual question. In April I bought 4 chickens at point of lay. I thought one of them would be the first to lay because the comb and wattles were so large and red. Now it's head looks like arooster but it hasn't got the tail of a rooster. The others have been laying lovely eggs, one a day , since the middle of may but this one either lays nothing at all or a broken soft shell at night from the perch or somtimes just some yolk and albumin and no shell. Is it possible for it to be half male half female so it's reproductive system isn't right . Could anyone throw any light on this for me.

 

[texasgal]

A big Texas-sized

A picture would be helpful ... anything is possible..

 

[Cadjien_De_Louisiane]

Welcome from Louisiana

Well usually the first ones to get big bright red combs and wattles are roos, and any breed that I have had the roosters get there tails a little later then the hens. I know seems like it would be the other way as for as the tail.

 

[Judy]

It does happen but is very unusual. When it does, the left half will look female and the right male, or vice verse. Also, occasionally a chicken will experience what is called a sex change -- which it really isn't. What happens is, an older hen stops laying and the other ovary becomes more active and for some reason produces more testosterone. (Laying hens have only one active ovary, the left.)

I think it's much more likely you have a pullet with a large comb and an egg laying problem. Hopefully the problem will straighten out as she matures; they often lay odd eggs when they start laying.

Here's a good link about egg problems:

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publi...ndbook/16/thinshelled-eggs-and-shellless-eggs

And welcome to BYC!

 

[FarmCoe]

Please post a picture. I could help then.

 

[FeatheredObsessions]

WELCOME!!!!


Sounds like your hen might have hormone imbalance kinda thing going on. I would make sure they have extra oyster shell calcium available for it. First eggs aren't usually right but these sound very wrong.

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us. Great advice given & good luck

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from a sizzling Ohio. So glad you joined.

 

[hcppam]

Search for no shell eggs here. Hi, from big bear, you'll love all the info you get here!

 

[Darlasmum]

A big

from So California. Sounds like your girl w/ the odd eggs just needs some time to work out her kinks. Feed them back their eggs shells- crushed up, give good laying feed, and veggies. and please dont get into the habit of giving bread. Its just a filler w/ little nutritional value. Good luck!