My hen is crowing

[ejchick]

I have three araucanas. They are at the moment 6 months old. All three are from what I understand are hens, they all look the same, no sign of spurs but Nancy my black hen tries to crow in the mornings just recently, it's a half hearted odd noise but at the same time she's very motherly to the other two and tucks them under her. We still have no eggs from anyone yet. What so say the people about this.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Could you post some pictures of her?

Spurs are not indicative of gender, especially in young birds. Even adult hens get them sometimes.

 

[ejchick]

I sure can, its early morning here I'll get the kids off to school then get snapping!

 

[ejchick]

It's not the best picture but the o my one I have handy right now

 

[ejchick]

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Ok, from what I can see it does look female.

Hens often crow in the absence of a rooster, though it is more unusual for a young pullet. You're sure on the age? The other two in the second picture look younger than 6 mos.

Could it just be the egg song?

 

[LittlePip21]

I've heard too that sometimes when there is no rooster, the dominant hen may start crowing. as far as i know, there is now sure fire way of telling until your getting eggs. my roosters never have spurs until they are around 2, so i would just watch for signs like rooster plumage, mounting, and crowing. of course, that doesn't always tell. I have a hen, she lays eggs, looks like a hen, but she tries to mount the other hens like a rooster!

 

[ejchick]

The two lavenders are atleast a month or more younger. She's definitely the top bird!

 

[ejchick]

She's not really in the mood for the paparazzi today

 

[ejchick]

The egg song?