Is my hermaphrodite chicken causing flock discord?

[Ana Robin]

I'm not sure, but I'll be very curious to see what others say.

 

[adstowe]

Human society these days is all about acceptance. No matter how out of the norm someone's lifestyle might be we are expected to accept that as their right to express themselves. Animals are much more primal. If an animal doesn't fit in with the flock they are a liability and are either shunned or eliminated. That's just the way it works. Like I said, I'm in no position to try and question or judge your thought's on culling birds. I tend to be a very black and white person so if come off as harsh, it's not meant that way. I just think removing this bird from your flock would make it much more comfortable for the other birds (even the ones that don't react are likely stressed by the ones that do).

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I said it before and it bares repeating,

Chickens don't do different very well.

 

[aart]

The new roo is pretty young. I think something like 6 months old.

Interesting.....male hackle feathers but female saddle feathers...tail looks male-ish but no sickle feathers.

Probably best to cull IMO.

Human society these days is all about acceptance. No matter how out of the norm someone's lifestyle might be we are expected to accept that as their right to express themselves. Animals are much more primal. If an animal doesn't fit in with the flock they are a liability and are either shunned or eliminated. That's just the way it works. Like I said, I'm in no position to try and question or judge your thought's on culling birds. I tend to be a very black and white person so if come off as harsh, it's not meant that way. I just think removing this bird from your flock would make it much more comfortable for the other birds (even the ones that don't react are likely stressed by the ones that do).

Ditto Dat^^^

 

[Ana Robin]

Non stop crowing and being hyped up make me wonder if there's a predator sniffing around your coop, is that a possibility? I would think something triggered your rooster and Jackie is taking the flack.

You could try penning her up within the coop to give her a break from him. All you can hope is he calms down. My mature roosters ignore hens that are too old to reproduce, or those that aren't feeling well. Young ones will sometimes attack them.

Another option is your rooster is suddenly calling for his last flock, or at maybe he's bragging.

This time of year rooster hormones are at their highest. I would expect things to calm down as we get into summer. I guess I'm rooting for Jackie too.

We've had the same 28 hens for 1.5 yrs and while we live rural, we have 3 cats, 2 dogs (1 giant guardian breed) and 11 goats, so predators pretty much stay away from our property. Never thought about the possibility that he's calling for his previous flock. Hmmm...

 

[Ana Robin]

Human society these days is all about acceptance. No matter how out of the norm someone's lifestyle might be we are expected to accept that as their right to express themselves. Animals are much more primal. If an animal doesn't fit in with the flock they are a liability and are either shunned or eliminated. That's just the way it works. Like I said, I'm in no position to try and question or judge your thought's on culling birds. I tend to be a very black and white person so if come off as harsh, it's not meant that way. I just think removing this bird from your flock would make it much more comfortable for the other birds (even the ones that don't react are likely stressed by the ones that do).

Makes sense. We're newbies to farming and hate having to cull, but completely get the necessity to do so to keep the flock healthy, strong and happy. Sometimes I wonder if Jackie has any quality of life anyhow... being the butt of persistent bullying despite keeping to yourself has got to be rough. Poor thing.

 

[Ana Robin]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I finally figured out the quote button to directly respond to individuals. LOL

 

[Ana Robin]

(My opinion) Cull Jackie. She/He is causing on going problems in your flock, not producing eggs or serving the purpose of a rooster. Basically not only a "freeloader" but one that upsets the flock. I enjoy my chickens, but now and then one needs to go. If I were in your situation she/he'd be gone. You may have personal reasons for feeling differently. I'm not saying it's the decision everyone is comfortable with, but it's the logical one.

We are leaning toward this for two reasons... flock health and outcast chicken has no quality of life.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, some chickens just don't fit. Your flock does not like her, for whatever reason. She is causing discord. Might be you have too many birds, might be a predator, might be she is secretly sick.

However, I cull for the happiness of my flock.

Mrs K

 

[Ana Robin]

I agree, some chickens just don't fit. Your flock does not like her, for whatever reason. She is causing discord. Might be you have too many birds, might be a predator, might be she is secretly sick.

However, I cull for the happiness of my flock.

Mrs K

She definitely has something wrong with her. She's blind in one eye (had a really "jacked up" looking eye as a chick, which is why my son named her Jackie). Yeah, it's probably time...