- Dec 5, 2010
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I searched the threads and found a topic on this but the board wouldn't allow me to post. I think the thread was too old. So I'm looking for information and beginning a new thread.
We have Brahma chickens, one roo and 3 hens that are nearly 1 year old. One of my hens has always been "special." She stumbles a lot and is very awkward. We affectionately call her "Gimpy." She is partially blind and has a white foggy spot in each pupil. She has laid eggs on occasion but not in awhile. Within the last several months, Gimpy has mocked the roo by crowing (rather lamely too) after each roo crow. I've noticed in the last several weeks Gimpy will attempt a rooster side-step, wing dropped, aggressive body language in her own "special" way. I've also noticed Gimpy mounting the hens and trying to "mate." Today, as Gimpy was blindly trying to mount a hen, the roo then mounted Gimpy and mated. As for appearance, Gimpy has the same feather characteristics as the other hens and has a darker red wattle and comb, but not as large as the roo. My roo has beautiful long tail feathers that curl and cascade down, Gimpy's tail feathers are shorter and stick up like the hens.
So do I have a gender confused chicken? Do you think Gimpy will become more and more roo-like as time goes on? I'm really surprised this chicken has lived this long. My boxer has taken her across the pasture 2 times now only to leave her stumbling in the semi-dark. Gimpy doesn't see danger and is easily lead astray. Unfortunately, this chicken is my daughter's favorite of all the flock. I feel that I need to make sure Gimpy is taken care of, but with these weird characteristics, I'm not sure what to expect.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Tina
We have Brahma chickens, one roo and 3 hens that are nearly 1 year old. One of my hens has always been "special." She stumbles a lot and is very awkward. We affectionately call her "Gimpy." She is partially blind and has a white foggy spot in each pupil. She has laid eggs on occasion but not in awhile. Within the last several months, Gimpy has mocked the roo by crowing (rather lamely too) after each roo crow. I've noticed in the last several weeks Gimpy will attempt a rooster side-step, wing dropped, aggressive body language in her own "special" way. I've also noticed Gimpy mounting the hens and trying to "mate." Today, as Gimpy was blindly trying to mount a hen, the roo then mounted Gimpy and mated. As for appearance, Gimpy has the same feather characteristics as the other hens and has a darker red wattle and comb, but not as large as the roo. My roo has beautiful long tail feathers that curl and cascade down, Gimpy's tail feathers are shorter and stick up like the hens.
So do I have a gender confused chicken? Do you think Gimpy will become more and more roo-like as time goes on? I'm really surprised this chicken has lived this long. My boxer has taken her across the pasture 2 times now only to leave her stumbling in the semi-dark. Gimpy doesn't see danger and is easily lead astray. Unfortunately, this chicken is my daughter's favorite of all the flock. I feel that I need to make sure Gimpy is taken care of, but with these weird characteristics, I'm not sure what to expect.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Tina
