Is there such a thing as a naturally caponized rooster?

[robbdebbie]

I have a hatchery breed golden lace Cochin I call Lola. "She" was very weak as a chick, and required a lot of butt cleaning and extra care. She feathered out very slowly from the begining, and took maybe two months longer than her brothers and sisters to feather out. She is about 10 months old, and has never laid an egg. In the last month I have noticed a rather large comb and wattles developing. She does not crow, and I have seen other roos mate her. She looks very similar to her brother in comb size. So, my question is this: are there hermaphrodite chickens? I will get a picture tomorrow too for you all.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

She may have malfunctioning ovaries. This can cause lack of egg laying and growth of rooster like secondary sex characteristics. In time she may even crow.

Do a Google on "crowing hens" and you'll find much about this.

......Alan.