Is my rooster a hermaphrodite?

[miss_thenorth]

I'm not saying you Have to isolate him,--it's just that when my sil isolated her roo, she did it becasue she was using another roo for breeding, and didn't want this one in with the hens. He was isolated for quite a time, and when he did lay, it was only three eggs--not an egg a day for the whole month (or however long)he was isolated.

 

[Mahonri]

So is everyone going out to check roo butts now?

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

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[Lady_Cluck]

I have one rooster (I've long since vowed to keep only one at a time)...and when the hens get to laying, he jumps right in to an open nest box along with them. I think he feels left out! He just sits in his own nest box and clucks happily.

 

[Chickn chick 46]

I just found this thread after I posted about my "crowing hen" Now I know I'm not nuts Thanks!!

 

[kycklingar!]

Here are the possibilities:
1. You could have a hen with lots of testosterone (happens occasionally when there are no roosters around - these hens make the motions of mating the other hens, and even get enlarged reddened combs.)
2. Your roo could be hanging out in nest boxes, as do many roos. Especially when the hens are laying.
3. Yes, your roo COULD be a hermaphrodite!
Because you already know the egg appearance of your other hens, the latter certainly is a possibility.
Remember, the other hens aren't laying because of Mr(/s). Roo. They would lay eggs without him - it's just their biological workings. If he/she is in fact a hermaphrodite, then it is possible the other hens' eggs are not fertile, though. Usually in hermaphroditic animals one of the reproductive systems, although present, is not actually functional. If the ovaries are functional, then the testes probably aren't.
Hope this was helpful! (And now, all seriousness aside, I'm giggling, my butt off...)

 

[kycklingar!]

oops - one more thing. If you really want to test the theory, all you have to do is isolate him for 24 to 48 hours. That should be enough time to get an egg out of him/her, and then you'll have no doubt!

 

[momahenTN]

i would have to isolate him and prove it. then when you find an egg, call ripley's. or atleast animal planet.lol
you may have yourself a money maker lol

all jokes aside, i have a game roo that was in the nst bucket yesterday and i told my son that we BETTER NOT GET A ROO EGG.LOL

 

[AmyRey]

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[henlymanor]

I have a really big butch hen, she lays every two or three days, but she also likes to mount the other hens, who receive her as they would the cockerel. This has only been happening since a couple of weeks ago, ie spring, increased laying and mating. I'm going to put one of the eggs from her "favourite" girl under one of my broodies as soon as possible. I'll keep you posted!