Franksmum Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Yesterday Bob mounted Judith, the husband laughed and said something which I didn't find funny in the slightest Whilst the Bobster has been wandering around the garden it looks like she has spurs forming on the backs of her legs. I've never noticed these before and have just checked the photo's of her from a year ago, smooth legs. She hasn't laid for a while but I put this down to them recently being wormed. Any helpful suggestions or tips please?? If she is turning into a Sir Bob then we are going to have to get rid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 is that possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckingmad Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Is she still laying? If she is then she is most definately a girl as roosters most definately don't lay - they simp;ly don't have the correct equipment There have been reports of hens "turning into" roos, however its a hormonal imbalance if I remember correctly - apparently the poor girls were burnt as a product of witchcraft as it appeared that a rooster was laying eggs It may be a display of dominance, but there is a way to determine the sex of a bird by examining inside the vent itself - I would not suggest anyone who isn't experienced/qualified tries it though, its something a vet friend told me and I wouldn't trust anyone other than a poultry vet to do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 One of my hens grew spurs and really filled out with the chunkiest thighs you've ever seen. I also asked on here about it and omleteers more experienced than me said that she was simply filling the role of a cockerel in the absence of a real one. The head of the flock had recently died and Ruby took over as head chook. Her thighs eventually slimmed down a bit though she retained her spurs until she died this year. She had pretty much stopped laying anyway but she did lay every now and then even though she was half man Basically, don't worry. She may not lay any more but i suspect she will, just not every day. And her role as head of the flock does have a steadying influence on the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 It is purely a dominance thing and very common. Nothing to worry about as a rule. Several of my hens have spurs, that is not at all uncommon. Rarely, when the one functioning ovary becomes damaged, the hen can adopt the characteristics ( plumage and crowing) of a rooster, but of course, does not fully become one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceychristie Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 How odd. Just read in this months A-Z poultry in 'Practical Poultry June, the word Gynandrmorph. It discribed the bird as being half one sex, and half the other (down the middle it sounded like). I think it related to 'from birth' stage though. I've had a few girls go 'all macho' when the flocks been upset by removal or addition of one of the girls. Davina our boss girl takes the stance and strut of a rooster, to the point where even casual visitors mistake her for a cockrel. Sounds just like flock dynamics to me, and as long as no ones getting hurt, should be ok. Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
