Hen or Roo?????

[NewChicKMom2014]

I have a silkie here I was pretty sure was a female and was beginning to lay eggs that is about 6-7 months.

But yesterday she crowed at me like a roo would, and has been being a bit onry towards my white black crested polish roo, who is also about the same age.

I have 5 hens that 6-7 months old, 2 are white black crested polish pullets, 3 are mini bantams.

I also have another white black crested polish roo and his hen who are a year old (they are in a seperate coop and pen.)

I also have a guinea fowl (who is also in a seperate coop and pen) whom Levy (my silkie) started mimicing sounds the guinea makes at a very early age and now mimics his behaviors being bossy.

I also have 2 Indian Runner drakes and 5 Indian Runner hens....who the silkie just ignores (they are also in a seperate coop and pen.)

I am just not sure what to think, I was so sure my silkie was a hen and was the one the last couple days that has laid the eggs I been finding in their coop (I know it is not my older hens because they are all in seperate coops and pens) but when Levy crowed at me I didn't know what to think and also this sudden onry bossy behavior towards my little roo. This all has started in the last couple days since I started finding the eggs in their coop.

Levy is mainly being bossy/onry towards my little roo....has occassionally pecked at the hens, but nothing like been doing towards my roo....

Here is the best picture I could get of my little silkie....this pic doesn't really show...but is starting to get some waddles a little bit....but the comb and waddle area all a blueish gray...no red!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm not a big silky keeper but that looks like a hen, is it possible she's going broody and is actually growling at you, or was it an outright crow.

 

[Michael OShay]

I don't see anything screaming cockerel with your Silkie so I'm thinking it's a pullet. Crowing is very uncommon among hens and when it does occur it is usually done by an older hen that has assumed the role of the rooster in a roosterless flock. However, there are rare exceptions (a BYC member not long ago had one of these rare exceptions) and if your Silkie is laying eggs it is definitely a pullet even if it is crowing.

 

[drumstick diva]

Michael is right. Since she already had laid eggs - she is NOT a rooster. Unless another bird has been leaving eggs in her nest box. Silkie hens don't get a redder comb approaching lay. Their combs should be black or dark gray & stay that way.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

Michael is right. Since she already had laid eggs - she is NOT a rooster. Unless another bird has been leaving eggs in her nest box. Silkie hens don't get a redder comb approaching lay. Their combs should be black or dark gray & stay that way.

Her waddles and comb are small and almost a purpleish blue color. It could be possible its one the other hens. Just not sure. I am just baffled by how she is going after my roo.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

I'm not a big silky keeper but that looks like a hen, is it possible she's going broody and is actually growling at you, or was it an outright crow.

It's like a crow but low and kind raspy/growl sounding....not loud and definate like my other two roo's.

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

I don't see anything screaming cockerel with your Silkie so I'm thinking it's a pullet. Crowing is very uncommon among hens and when it does occur it is usually done by an older hen that has assumed the role of the rooster in a roosterless flock. However, there are rare exceptions (a BYC member not long ago had one of these rare exceptions) and if your Silkie is laying eggs it is definitely a pullet even if it is crowing.

I have heard people say Silkie's mock other bird sounds....she has tried to mimic my guinea fowl....could it be possible just trying to mimic the roo's too?

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

I'll try get a better clearer picture today and post.......

 

[NewChicKMom2014]

Also the eggs I been finding are small and a cream color.....

 

[Michael OShay]

I have heard people say Silkie's mock other bird sounds....she has tried to mimic my guinea fowl....could it be possible just trying to mimic the roo's too?

It's certainly possible.

Also the eggs I been finding are small and a cream color.....

Those definitely sound like Silkie eggs.