Is my 14mo Blue Orpington rooster? Or just a crowing hen?

[LilFinnGirl]

Its name is Sophia, has never crowed or shown any rooster behavior before today. Has been bottom of the pecking order since they were young.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Nope, that's a hen. Do you have a rooster? Sometimes a hen will step up and take on the role of a rooster if one is not present.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Nope, that's a hen. Do you have a rooster? Sometimes a hen will step up and take on the role of a rooster if one is not present.

Not always true. I have a hen that crows with roosters present.

 

[LilFinnGirl]

Nope, that's a hen. Do you have a rooster? Sometimes a hen will step up and take on the role of a rooster if one is not present.

I culled my only rooster last year, it’s surprising to me that the bottom hen would fill this role!

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Definitely a hen!
Ive also heard of hens taking the rooster role

 

[peafowl_Lover]

My Ayam Cemani hen does this also, even when there's roosters around but they can't get to the girls

 

[LilFinnGirl]

Does it make sense for the hen on the bottom of the pecking order to take on rooster traits? For those with crowing hens, do they do it regularly or occasionally?

 

[peafowl_Lover]

Mine does it occasionally, she's molting now so maybe that's why she stopped, she's near the top but has gone to the middle now.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I culled my only rooster last year, it’s surprising to me that the bottom hen would fill this role!

Maybe she has plans to move up the totem pole