My hen is changing color!

[kbird]

I have read of older hens who's sole functioning ovary quits. They suddenly feather out like a rooster because of the lack of female hormones. Some revert back to hens eventually, and some remain rooster like. They are still biologically female but look male. Should be interesting if she starts trying to crow and mate.

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Thanks for your reply! She no longer lays eggs so it sounds like you're right

 

[kbird]

That is extraordinarily bizzare. Those are Welsummers, right?

I really don't know what breed they are, but I'll go with Welsummers. Thanks!

 

[andreanar]

I would love to have the look of a rooster, but it be a hen!! Roosters are gorgeous, but I don't keep them.

 

[FrankHomestead]

OK, wait....so it's not a rooster? totally looks like one...

 

[Chickassan]

Not much different than a lady's ovaries going awol and her growing a beard. Actually it's pretty cool, the hen and the prospect of a lady beard.

 

[debid]

OK, wait....so it's not a rooster? totally looks like one...

It doesn't have the equipment to sire any chicks. Biologically female, appearance male, but functionally neither. Fascinating, isn't it?

 

[FrankHomestead]

It doesn't have the equipment to sire any chicks. Biologically female, appearance male, but functionally neither. Fascinating, isn't it?

That is wild! is this a birth defect??

 

[debid]

That is wild! is this a birth defect??

No, she's just old and her ovary quit producing hormones. It can actually happen from illness/internal injury at an earlier age but usually it's old birds that do this.

 

[FrankHomestead]

No, she's just old and her ovary quit producing hormones. It can actually happen from illness/internal injury at an earlier age but usually it's old birds that do this.

Oh OK so she used to lay eggs. wow, crazy. is this a fairly common thing?

 

[debid]

Oh OK so she used to lay eggs. wow, crazy. is this a fairly common thing?

If you kept them long enough, I think they'd all do it eventually but IDK for sure.