Single hen

[Amy83]

I think one of my hens is on the turn, recently she/he has lost some condition and her feathers have been looking different. She has always been a big hen, very active, always running about like a mad thing! Today i saw he/she mate with two of my hens!! Ant talking to my grandparents (who can see them through their patio doors it turns out he/she has been up to it for about a week!

 

 

here are some pictures

Dated 01/02/09

 

Tonight 01/03/09

 

 

I cant believe it! i've heard on that it happens but cant really believe that it does! It hasnt started crowing yet but i cant keep it as i live in a town! Anyone want a Welsumer (sp?) Cockerell?????

[tom123]

Oooh interesting, but he isn't a welsummer cockerel he is a barnvelder cockerel.

 

Tom

[Janty]

Here's my he/she...

 

 

She is an ex-batt who was always a bit butch looking but has gone for the macho look big time since she stopped laying seven months ago.

[Scramble]

Can they actually turn into boys???

 

...or am I being gullible again, like when Ms Marple told me she was on telly and I didn't twig until I looked it up?

[Janty]

No, they don't really turn into cockerels but when they stop laying, their hormones can play strange tricks on their bodies and they can develop male characteristics. My he/she has got huge wattles, comb and spurs. She also struts with a very cockerel style walk.

[Scramble]

had me worried there for a minute!

 

well, what's a Hinny then? or is that the same thing?

is a hinny a hen the takes over the cockerals role when it dies?

 

or has my brain malfuctiones?

 

edit: just googled it and it says a hinny is a horse and donkeys offspring... What's the word for the above if it's not a hinny then? a henny?

 

I don;t think I'm very good with chicken-y knowledge

[abwsco]

They can also start crowing and can turn when new chickens are introduced. My friends chicken who did this made the Daily Mail. Story here

[feemcg]

It happened to my Buff Orp, Sandy too

[Janty]

Thankfully he/she hasn't crowed.

[Amy83]

No mine hasnt crowed yet either!

 

Oooh interesting, but he isn't a welsummer cockerel he is a barnvelder cockerel.

 

Oh is it, my friend bought a load of as a misc selection of breeds for hatching when then had a broody hen! I think he used a book to identify them as best he could!

I new to chickens so i wouldnt have the foggiest idea! i have 6 ex batts which i assume are warrens and two black ones! The other i was told is a copper headed/necked Meran?? Maybe i should post a pic and see if he was wrong on that one too hahaha!