My "hen" is crowing!

[nicoleelizabeth]

OK, this is my first-time raising chickens and we have a beautiful girl (Prima), but recently she has started crowing. She was the first (and actually only) to hatch, but we found two Buff Orpingtons to be her sisters (Gertrude and Matilda). Prima is more their boss as oppossed to their sister, but all seems well. Is it true that dominant hens will crow? I don't see the tell-tale markings of a rooster and she is almost four months old. I would be able to tell by now, right? Our city doesn't allow roosters (for the crowing, obviously), but what do I do if Prima is set on this behavior?? Help!

 

[faykokoWV]

Are you absolutely sure she's not a he?? has she laid an egg yet?
do you have picture you can post to some of the experts on here can determine if she is a she?

 

[Mahonri]

If she has laid an egg, then she is acting as a dominant roo.

If she hasn't laid an egg then perhaps... cock a doodle roo.

 

[Roosterboy]

Quote:
haha

the simple answer if she hasn't laid an egg is that shes a roo

I once read something about chickens damaging their ovaries though but I'm not really sure what the specifics are on that so I'll leave that to an expert.

 

[fowler_chick]

Ok if i read this right a while back while searching for some thing else this is hpw it happends ....In a normal female bird only the left ovary is active. Due to infections or other problems, this ovary may cease to function. In that case the right overy becomes active, but for some reason produces more testosterone and causes the bird to develop male plumage and secondary sex characteristics, although it will never become fully male. Hens may begin to crow.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I have an Orp hen that crows every morning. She has no problem laying, and raised a brood of chicks this spring. She comes out at daybreak and struts around the yard "moooooahhhhh!"

 

[jafo]

Quote:
Seems like a gender issue,""she"" "in charge" ? Do you ALSO have a Roo?

 

[nicoleelizabeth]

I read that males have pointed feathers, as opposed to rounded, and of course, the back claw on the feet. Prima has neither of these characteristics. She has not laid any eggs, but is only four months old. I thought they start around five months. I'll try to get my husband to load a picture for further discussion. Thanks!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Most 4 month olds have little to no spurs--they are one of the last things to develop.

Only hackle & saddle feathers are pointed.

 

[Goose and Fig]

Seems like a gender issue,""she"" "in charge" ? Do you ALSO have a Roo?

Yep- got a roo (lotsa roos!), and 100% fertility so far too. She's just an oddball. I posted a thread about this last week. I guess I'm not the only one. I'd still like to see a pic from the OP! Hint hint....​