Is Irene... Ron?

[GenevieveHad]

Hello!!

I’ve had “Irene” for about 1.5 years now... I’ve always thought she was a she... until I saw her try to crow yesterday? I just introduced some new chicks to the flock, definitely have 2 Roos in there that I will need to re-home (I’m in town and unfortunately can’t keep them). Wondering if she’s just trying to assert dominance, or if I could’ve been confused about irenes gender for awhile now. Irene? Is a Golden Sebright. Looking at pictures I’m now wondering if Irene is actually a boy? Help!

 

[Oncoming Storm]

Hen. Definitely hen. I have a silver sebright too so yeah. She’s probably just letting everyone know that she’s still boss. If she were a rooster that comb would be bright BRIGHT red.

 

[Rammy]

If you dont have a rooster, a hen sometimes "changes" sex and assumes the role of the male. There have been rare cases where a hen will also take on the characteristics of a rooster ( tail feathers, neck feathers).
She still looks like a hen to me, but may be taking over the role of protector.

 

[GenevieveHad]

Hen. Definitely hen. I have a silver sebright too so yeah. She’s probably just letting everyone know that she’s still boss. If she were a rooster that comb would be bright BRIGHT red.

thank goodness!!! I thought I was losing my marbles when I heard her make a little cockadoodledoo

 

[black_cat]

If you dont have a rooster, a hen sometimes "changes" sex and assumes the role of the male. There have been rare cases where a hen will also take on the characteristics of a rooster ( tail feathers, neck feathers).
She still looks like a hen to me, but may be taking over the role of protector.

Curiosity question: Do those hens that sort of 'change' to roosters still lay eggs? I'm assuming yes, but I was wondering. Sorry I can't be any help to the thread, I was just looking at it and was super curious!

 

[black_cat]

If you've had her for 1.5 years I think that you would have noticed if she was a roo. If she lays eggs, she's definitely a hen!

 

[GenevieveHad]

If you've had her for 1.5 years I think that you would have noticed if she was a roo. If she lays eggs, she's definitely a hen!

Well when you have abunch of chickens you “think” you know who lays what eggs... but the crowing confused me and made me question everything!!

 

[MGG]

Well when you have abunch of chickens you “think” you know who lays what eggs... but the crowing confused me and made me question everything!!

If you can't tell her eggs, you can put food coloring just inside the vent. I used blue, just put my finger in the container (my clean finger of course) went outside, and just gently put my finger inside her vent. Sure, it's a bit gross. But it will answer your egg-laying question. When she lays an egg it will have blue streaks on it.

 

[black_cat]

Well when you have abunch of chickens you “think” you know who lays what eggs... but the crowing confused me and made me question everything!!

Good point.

 

[GenevieveHad]

If you can't tell her eggs, you can put food coloring just inside the vent. I used blue, just put my finger in the container (my clean finger of course) went outside, and just gently put my finger inside her vent. Sure, it's a bit gross. But it will answer your egg-laying question. When she lays an egg it will have blue streaks on it.

Cool! Thank you. I’m pretty sure I know which ones are hers as she doesn’t lay as frequently as the others (and I only had one other that laid small cream eggs for a bit). But that’s a good trick to be sure