sex change?

[jeburr]

We have what we thought were all hens in one coop. Just recently, though, one has gotten much bigger than the others, the comb and wattle are bright red, and it's a little more aggressive. (It's a Splash Cochin.) Is this possible, or did we just get a roo in the mix by accident?

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Sex changes in birds are possible, even later in their lives, so I wouldn't discount it . . . but I think its rare and if they are all very young, it might just be a late bloomer(?).

 

[SpottedCrow]

It could be a late bloomer...Cochins are a heavy breed so they mature later.
A hen can "change sex" if it got an infection in its ovary. the ovary will stop producing estrogen and start producing testosterone...the hen may start crowing and mounting her buddies, and stop laying eggs.

 

[jeburr]

Thanks to both of you. I've heard of chickens changing from hens to roosters, but I think you're right. This one is just a late bloomer.