[Flowerpower136]

 

Don't know what to think!

Wilma, who is definately an egg laying girly hen, has starting mounting the other girls.  What's going on?!  She's never done it before.  Is she trying to become leader, or is she "changing"?

[joyfull]

I would say it's a dominance thing (although rare they can change sex though  ).

[Flowerpower136]

Heavens!

She's always had large comb and wattles compared to the others.  And this isn't just a matter of squashing them, she's going at it hammer and tongs.

But she definitely laid an egg yesterday.  Is it possible that's she's got both sets of bits?

[lucylou]

one of my girls does this to the others on the odd occassion! my dog sometimes does it to my leg and she's a girl too :blink:( i suppose its one way of getting some exersize )

[chooksbury]

P'rhaps she's just a bit butch     I've heard of hens treading eachother but only seen it when Tilly tries to show the newbies who's boss.

[Flowerpower136]

This is treading, and then some

Anyway, not to worry, as long she's happy!  And the others don't seem to mind too much.

Just hope to goodness she doesn't start cockadoodling at 4 in the morning.

[hillfooter]

Yes hens can "change sex" I've had this happen with a light Sussex hen late in life and I don't think its quite as rare as most people think.  It usually is thought to be caused by them stopping ovulating.  I seem to remember reading about it and if I remember right, normally only one ovary is active (left I think) and the other is completerly dormant. If the one working ovary is damage by disease or just old age they can start to change sex and take on the characteristics of males.  Mine certainly started to crow which first alerted us. She used to mount the others too.  She used to be our star layer too so I suppose this could tie in with the ovary damage idea.  I don't think they are viable sexually and I don't think they have "both sets of bits" as Flowerpower muses.
HF

[Flowerpower136]

Wilma is definately still laying, but is the one that's had problems with thin shells, some of which have broken before she's got them out.  And as she officially retired 6 months ago (ex batt), she may well be coming to the end of egg production.

Apart from that, she'll in rude health!  Bright red face, comb etc, perky bright eyes, and lovely, lovely feathers.  One of the best actually.  Very active & strong chicken.

Seems a chooks version of 'change of life' is a tad more drastic than ours!

If she starts crowing, hope she does in a dainty ladee like fashion!  Neighbours will not be impressed otherwise.

[hillfooter]

Wilma is definately still laying, but is the one that's had problems with thin shells, some of which have broken before she's got them out.  And as she officially retired 6 months ago (ex batt), she may well be coming to the end of egg production.

Apart from that, she'll in rude health!  Bright red face, comb etc, perky bright eyes, and lovely, lovely feathers.  One of the best actually.  Very active & strong chicken.

Seems a chooks version of 'change of life' is a tad more drastic than ours!

If she starts crowing, hope she does in a dainty ladee like fashion!  Neighbours will not be impressed otherwise.

Well anything would be better and less embarassing than having her grab your leg "for exercise" as lucylou's dog!
Hf