foster75 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 help, one of our 4 year old pekins started to crow this morning. they stopped laying last month, the same time as every other year. bit worried what the rest of the street will say if she continues every morning. thanks david Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 There are occasions where a female chicken can turn male (or vise versa). I would have of thought that 4 is a bit old to be turning gender Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 They sometimes do that when they are feeling dominant. One of mine went broody a couple of weeks ago and her being in extra girly mode somehow made the other one feel macho and she started crowing a bit in the morning for a few days. I haven't heard her for the past few mornings so I hope she's over it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 It does happen occasionally sadly sometimes if it becomes a problem, the offending hen can be rehomed (either temporarily or permanently) which will stop the crowing if it is a dominance issue, as she will lose her pecking order place. Hens can also grow spurs... I have 2 hens now who have grown lovely sets of spurs... they are both still laying... but I am awaiting for the laying to stop and crowing to start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calamity Jane Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 There are occasions where a female chicken can turn male (or vise versa). I would have of thought that 4 is a bit old to be turning gender oooh I thought this was just a myth I've still got a lot to learn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splodge88 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 When our hen started to crow in the morning, we shut the eglue door to block sunlight getting in so she wouldn't wake as early so as not to wake the neighbours at such an ungodly hour (it was 5am when she started). Doesn't solve the problem, but certainly made it less of a worry/nuisance. It seemed to be a phase as she eventually grew out of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 My 90 year old mother told me that if I got rid of my cockerel one of my hens might start to crow. I thought she was, well, having a seniour moment. I should have given her more credit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 I dont think they actually turn male It usually happens for one fo two reasons - dominance or 'hormonal' As your hen has stopped laying I'd say its the latter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foster75 Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 thanks for the replies, any idea what i do to get her to stop if it is hormonal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
