Odd pullet behavior?

[jlquick30]

We have a flock of 24 birds -- 8 sexlink hens who are about 15 months old, 5 pullet sexlinks (4 mos old), 1 sexlink rooster (4 mos old), 1 java rooster (3 mos old) and what we believe is 9 java pullets (3 mos old).

Our java rooster crows, breeds, etc. I posted before that our sexlink rooster has spurs and mounts our older hens, but hasn't crowed yet.

Now, two of our java pullets have started "crowing" and mounting the hens. They are the biggest of the java pullets and seem to be reaching egg-laying age, judging by their combs. But should they be mounting the other girls?!

Here's a picture of one from a couple of weeks ago...

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Chickens are always a bit on the confused side, but are you sure about the gender of your Java pullets. Javas, especially the young ones don't have a lot of plumage differences between hens and roosters nor do Java roosters have dramatically larger combs.

The sickle feathers on the rump of the Java in the photo makes me suspect that there is cross dresser or two in your hen house.

 

[jlquick30]

We were judging our pullets off our obvious rooster - his tail feathers are obvious and his comb is huge compared to this. Maybe they ARE roosters though??

 

[Studio2770]

I know nothing about Java chickens. But I have read about dominant hens. They mount out of domination, not for mating. My 2 female dogs have done that. Dominant hens usually take one male characteristics, especially if the girls out number the guys 10:1. Check out this video of crowing hens.

 

[jlquick30]

I've been doing some research and I'm starting to think our obvious too is actually an Ancona and that at least one of these crowers might be a java rooster. Heading out to the barn to analyze with my new knowledge! Lol