Silkiemum Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 we have five hens, four of them pekins. two are just about a year old, having been bought last summer. the other two are probably seven or so months older. the fifth is a silkie/sussex cross who is at least two years old. My query is someone has started going cock-a-doodle-do. Surely one of them isn't a late developing cockerel - not only becuase of their age but we are pretty confident we have five layers, having found all of them in the nesting box with eggs at one time or another. None looks like a cockerel - or is this just confused hen behaviour. help! Sue Mum to Jill, Janice, Ursula, Precious and Mona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I have an ex-batt who in her old age has started trying to crow every now and again. Not quite a crow but defo trying I run out in the garden to shut her up when I hear it! She stopped laying about 6 month ago so i think she is just confused. I have seen on here that the top hen in the group will sometimes do this. Mine was the top hen but not so sure anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silkiemum Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 that would be reassuring if it was the top chicken - we had a death (of the head chook) a few months back so it might be the new queen! We were so worried one actually is a cockerel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 My top chick Clover often crows. If I did not know better ,3 girls now and 3 eggs most days I would have thought she was a cockrel...phew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 My araucana has started crowing! I reckon it's because the top hen is broody and sitting on eggs so she might be crowing to say she is taking over? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeloo Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 My subordinate hen crows when the top one is broody. It is not a full rooster crow, more of a half crow, and only around sunrise. I'm ready for Zoe to give up on the broodiness. It's been going on for two months now! I'm going to start kicking her out of the nestbox every afternoon when I get home. She is such a prima donna when I do it, though. At first, she collapses to the ground and tries to build a nest around her out of mulch. Then she finally jumps up and runs off squawking and flapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nannyhenny Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 My Miss Pepperpot started to do this not long after we had her - she then started to wheeze and sneeze as well. Took her to the vet who diagnosed an upper respiratory infection. Treated with antibiotics (what a pain that was!) but she's been fine ever since and has never crowed since. Might be worth keeping an eye on your girl's breathing just in case...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 I also have a hen who will now and again attempt a strangled cock a doodle doo. It always seems to be accompanied by much wing flapping and standing on tip toes which is quite amusing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
