Older hen crowing

[GardenDmpls]

I've only been getting two eggs a day from the three older (18 months) hens. This morning I saw one of the old hens flapping her wings and making something like a cross between a cackle and a crow. She is definitely a hen, so I don't know what to make of this. I am assuming she's the one who stopped laying. Is there a chance she will knock off the male behavior and start laying again? I should also mention there is a RIR rooster in the flock, but he is young (20 weeks), has only crowed a few times and is still afraid of the large hens.

 

[Veer67]

When a hen crows it could mean that she's diseased, getting on in the years, or in a flock with no rooster a hen may take the role. Sometimes aging hens will crow during non laying periods, when male hormones kick in.