Hermaphrodite chicken?

[Tricoglossus]

In biology hermaphrodite represents an animal that has both male and female reproductive organs. Which would explain why a rooster had once laid an egg.

I think you misunderstood what I said.

A hen lays eggs. If the hen develops a hormonal imbalance, it may develop rooster characteristics and cease to lay eggs. This is NOT a hermaphrodite.

 

[chickloveschick]

I am new to raising chickens...I had 4 Buff Orpington chick's in the beginning, one died after a few days. It started breathing kinda funny. Then, I got to experience Merrick's in a poulet. That was pretty horrific. Now, I have 2 hens left. They seem to be healthy and one lays daily, the other every other day. However, I started noticing that Lolly has a comb like a rooster and long waddles like a rooster. She also has a narrower body (lays every other day). I did some research and found out that she may be a gynomorph.

Anyone out there have anything to add about this possible condition? Big girl has a small comb and smaller waddles. Lolly has more pronounced ears as well. My neighbor stated that she has the same thing happening with her 2 hens.

 

[donrae]

I am new to raising chickens...I had 4 Buff Orpington chick's in the beginning, one died after a few days. It started breathing kinda funny. Then, I got to experience Merrick's in a poulet. That was pretty horrific. Now, I have 2 hens left. They seem to be healthy and one lays daily, the other every other day. However, I started noticing that Lolly has a comb like a rooster and long waddles like a rooster. She also has a narrower body (lays every other day). I did some research and found out that she may be a gynomorph.

Anyone out there have anything to add about this possible condition? Big girl has a small comb and smaller waddles. Lolly has more pronounced ears as well. My neighbor stated that she has the same thing happening with her 2 hens.

There's nothing weird going on with your bird, it's all female. Different size of comb and wattles is just normal variation, just like different size breasts are normal in human women. Her comb is larger than the other bird's, but no where near the size of a rooster's comb or wattles. No sex feathers, either....she's just a girl.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

She is a perfectly normal HEN. Sometime the size if comb and wattles vary

 

[chickloveschick]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[BantamLover21]

I am new to raising chickens...I had 4 Buff Orpington chick's in the beginning, one died after a few days. It started breathing kinda funny. Then, I got to experience Merrick's in a poulet. That was pretty horrific. Now, I have 2 hens left. They seem to be healthy and one lays daily, the other every other day. However, I started noticing that Lolly has a comb like a rooster and long waddles like a rooster. She also has a narrower body (lays every other day). I did some research and found out that she may be a gynomorph.

Anyone out there have anything to add about this possible condition? Big girl has a small comb and smaller waddles. Lolly has more pronounced ears as well. My neighbor stated that she has the same thing happening with her 2 hens.

She's a perfectly normal hen. Comb size varies depending on each individual bird's genetics, breed, environment, and health. Most roosters do have larger combs than hens, but even that varies. I've seen a rooster with a minuscule hen-like comb, and a hen with a gigantic rooster-sized comb.

I'm sorry for your early troubles with Marek's and the respiratory problem.

 

[Wyandottes7]

She's a perfectly normal hen. Comb size varies depending on each individual bird's genetics, breed, environment, and health. Most roosters do have larger combs than hens, but even that varies. I've seen a rooster with a minuscule hen-like comb, and a hen with a gigantic rooster-sized comb.

I'm sorry for your early troubles with Marek's and the respiratory problem.

Agreed.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

What an odd thread! Hermaphridites and Gynandromorphs are EXTREMELY rare. Not quite sure why all of these people would think they have one. All chickens (and humans for that matter) go through changes as their hormones kick in. Pullets combs grown and turn red when they get close to egg laying. Chickens do not switch genders, although there are cases of hens taking on a rooster role in a flock without a roo, it will not actually produce sperm to fertilize eggs. I see a bunch of normal beautiful birds on this thread LOL!

 

[chickloveschick]

Thanks. It was a steep learning curve! But now, I really feel comfortable with these 2 hens. It has just become colder in the last week and now they are both not laying...back to store bought eggs (yuck!) I plan to introduce some baby chicks in the middle of the night probably in the spring. Even my skeptical (didn't think I could raise chickens) husband has been saying that I need to add to the flock. Lastly, I love it when my16 and 19 yr old sons' friends ask about the chickens and ask if they can pet/hold one. I have learned a lot from You Tube and BYC.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Thanks. It was a steep learning curve! But now, I really feel comfortable with these 2 hens. It has just become colder in the last week and now they are both not laying...back to store bought eggs (yuck!) I plan to introduce some baby chicks in the middle of the night probably in the spring. Even my skeptical (didn't think I could raise chickens) husband has been saying that I need to add to the flock. Lastly, I love it when my16 and 19 yr old sons' friends ask about the chickens and ask if they can pet/hold one. I have learned a lot from You Tube and BYC.

Baby chicks cannot simply be popped into the coop in middle of the night. They have to be raised in a brooder until they are fully feathered and then it's best to wait to integrate them when they are the same size as the older birds, about 10 weeks old or so. Chickens don't accept newcomers very well and they can be brutal, even to the point of killing new birds, especially young ones. Now if one of your birds goes broody, and Buff Orp's are notorious for it, you could try slipping some day old chicks under her after she's set on the eggs for a while.