Rooster or Hen?? I can't decide!

[sonderah]

Oh my! One of my "hens" I'm suddenly not so sure
about. My rooster is the same kind, a Speckled
Sussex, and "Popcorn" is smaller than him, and
her comb and wattles r a little smaller than his, but
growing every day! My rooster started crowing
weeks ago, and I've never seen Popcorn crow, but they keep facing off quite a bit! Their neck feathers
get all fluffed up and all pointy, and they run at each other like they r fighting, and Popcorn will grab my rooster's comb and actually drew blood! Popcorn also doesn't run straight to The Colonel, my rooster, when he calls them like the others do Just seems odd behavior for a hen!!! Do hens attack roosters?? Oh they are both about 18weeks also.

 

[Zaxby's2]

It sounds like you may have another rooster but if you posted some pics in the what breed or gender section you will get a more definite answer

 

[sonderah]

I can't seem to get any pics to work for me on here. Grrrr. Lol

 

[Zaxby's2]

Does Popcorn have pointy saddle feathers?

 

[sonderah]

Does Popcorn have pointy saddle feathers?

I'm not exactly sure what the saddle feathers are. I can't get this thing to let me add pics.

 

[Quinstar]

This thread has examples of saddle feathers for you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/693031/like-picture-of-rooster-saddle-feathers

 

[UncleEric]

This could be one of a few things:
1) She may actually be a rooster.
2) Many Hens, while growing and coming up on their laying time, will become aggressive, usually taking it out on the closest male (no pun intended). Unfortunately, she will eventually learn (and sometimes painfully) who really is in charge.
3) Your rooster may be starting to mate with her before she is ready and she is defending herself from his advances. This, too, will change in time.
4) Best scenario - she is establishing her dominance among the other hens. Watch her for the next few months - she may become a good brooder.
If she displays signs of hurt (bleeding, etc.) and her attitude becomes one of fatigue, weariness, seclusion, separate her for a few weeks. A little attention from a caring hand will bring her around in a couple of days. She won't appreciate it at first, but soon she'll learn that ultimately, you are the one in charge.
GOOD LUCK - UNCLE ERIC

 

[sonderah]

This thread has examples of saddle feathers for you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/693031/like-picture-of-rooster-saddle-feathers

Thanks!! As soon as this storm passes, I will go take a closer look.

 

[sonderah]

This could be one of a few things: 1) She may actually be a rooster. 2) Many Hens, while growing and coming up on their laying time, will become aggressive, usually taking it out on the closest male (no pun intended). Unfortunately, she will eventually learn (and sometimes painfully) who really is in charge. 3) Your rooster may be starting to mate with her before she is ready and she is defending herself from his advances. This, too, will change in time. 4) Best scenario - she is establishing her dominance among the other hens. Watch her for the next few months - she may become a good brooder. If she displays signs of hurt (bleeding, etc.) and her attitude becomes one of fatigue, weariness, seclusion, separate her for a few weeks. A little attention from a caring hand will bring her around in a couple of days. She won't appreciate it at first, but soon she'll learn that ultimately, you are the one in charge.GOOD LUCK - UNCLE ERIC

Popcorn has definately been secluded from the others. We have been letting them free range for a few hours in the evening when we can watch them with our other animals. And Popcorn is rarely with the crowd, & even goes in 15-30 minutes earlier than the others and goes to "bed." Of course the others seem to be having some difficulty finding their way back into the run at night, & usually at least some require assistance. Lol

 

[sonderah]

Popcorn definately has pointy saddle feathers.