Multiple She’s to He’s

[acm6912]

HELP! I know that it’s normal and can happen but we have at least two ladies in our flock the are turning into roosters. We have two full grown roosters that were male to start with and we have at least two recently hatched baby roosters. Is there too much testosterone??? They aren’t older hens either...about a year and a half old

 

[rosemarythyme]

Are you sure they weren't males to begin with or are they just very dominant hens? Photos?

 

[AmyJane725]

Did they stop laying eggs (or did they never start)? Any crowing to speak of?

 

[aart]

two ladies in our flock the are turning into roosters.

Explain further, please.

Photos?

Yes, please, before and after.

 

[acm6912]

Are you sure they weren't males to begin with or are they just very dominant hens? Photos?

They were definitely female to start. I don’t have any before photos but as I said they are a year and a half. They don’t crow but we’ve noticed a decline in our number of dark colored eggs. No idea if they are laying I'd have to segregate them. We just noticed the spurs that two of my three welsummers have developed. I’ve attached photos of the two ladies. I did a search on here and know that it’s possible for them to stop laying and to develop rooster-like traits. But just wondering if anyone has had multiple females do it at one time and what the cause may

 

[sourland]

Both are 'still' hens. It is fairly common for hens to develop spurs. If it were indeed a hormonally induced change, they would exhibit male specific feathering.

Edited to add : Beautiful birds in excellent condition.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hens can grow spurs.

Have you checked for worms, lice, mites? Anyone laying out in the yard or run instead of the nest box? Check the birds, nest boxes and roost for bugs if you can't find a hidden nest. It might be a good idea to send for a float test if everything else looks good.

 

[keesmom]

Egg color lessens as the laying season progresses so they could very well be laying lighter brown eggs. Spurs on hens aren't that unusual. I've had a couple of Welsummers with them before, as well as every Buttercup hen.

 

[aart]

Egg color lessens as the laying season progresses so they could very well be laying lighter brown eggs. Spurs on hens aren't that unusual. I've had a couple of Welsummers with them before, as well as every Buttercup hen.

Yep, my Wellie hen had pretty good spurs...and egg color faded as season progressed. She also was not a prolific layer, took long breaks.

@acm6912 Gorgeous bird!
You might want to check pelvic points...chance her eggs have faded or might she be laying out in range area?

 

[acm6912]

Thank you all! Sounds like Welsummers get spurs quite often!