What on EARTH are they doing?

[FruitValleyFarmer]

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I hope not!! At this point I don't think so, but I can't really tell. Would that matter?

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
I hope not!! At this point I don't think so, but I can't really tell. Would that matter?

Potentially, yes absence of male may be factor promoting behavior you observed. The animals I work with (poultry and fishes), in the absence of males, some females will exhibit behaviors typical of males only. Hens attemping to crow and/or mounting lower ranked hens. High rank means more testosterone, regardless of gender. If hen about to lay give signs ready to mate, which roosters are very sensitive to, then a masculine hen might attempt copulation. The copulation attempt likely will be incomplete. Functional rooster would suppress male behavior in high ranking female.