Author Topic: Hen is a cock (no offense intended)! (Read 2486 times)

madchickenlady · « **on:** April 13, 2017, 10:22:59 pm »

Just realised that my cream legbarr hen is a cock - only nearly a year old! He has never crowd so didn't really take much notice apart from being somewhat irritated by it not laying, then today saw him mount a bantam and finally noticed the spurs, how did I miss that!

chrismahon · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2017, 07:20:55 am »

The real surprise is that you missed the feather colouring MCL- the cock is completely different to the hen.

madchickenlady · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2017, 08:31:11 am »

This particular bird as a chick had very indistinct markings and as the other five were defiantly cock birds I took a punt. However, went to the hen house this morning and he was dead, no marks and he was fine last night. Must have been the shock of being let out after all this time. Bit quick for bird flu I hope.

Womble · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2017, 08:55:37 am »

Possibly. I think one of our ducks had a heart attack due to a joy overload. We had to let them out because we needed the hay shed back for lambing, but three hours later one of them was floating two feet up in the pond

.

Eve · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2017, 09:04:15 am »

At least your cockerel died a happy man

(no offence meant either

)

He was definitely an exception. My cream legbars have all been very early maturing, including trying to crow at 8 weeks old. Nice to hear they're not all like that. Hormonal little things

madchickenlady · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2017, 09:33:59 am »

Yes he certainly died happy! I recon he new his days may be numbered so suppressed the urge to crow!

He couldn't do anything about his other urges though, and that unmasked him as the imposter that he was!!

nutterly_uts · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2017, 08:07:29 pm »

Def not a hen who changed?

madchickenlady · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2017, 09:08:42 pm »

Anything is possible I suppose. My Grandad always said he had a goose that turned into a gander, never knew whether to believe him or not.

Steph Hen · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2017, 09:19:45 pm »

I had a leghorn hen who had a massive comb, a very loud call and would mount the hens - but only if there were no cocks around. She also laid hundreds of perfect white eggs.

waterbuffalofarmer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2017, 01:16:53 pm »

I had 2 buff orpingtons last year, from my brother, 1 of them died (hen) she had a seizure I think... The other one I was wondering why no eggs and finally noticed he was a cockerel, but only by the comb. I managed to give him away to a good home

Its an easy thing to miss really. Tbh when I first saw the post I thought you were mad at one of your hens lol

madchickenlady · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2017, 08:13:14 pm »

No, just plain mad!

Stereo · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2017, 09:07:37 pm »

I have a blue Orp who was definitely a pullet last year. In the last 2 months at about 12 months old she has turned into a cockerel. Not that unusual apparently. She won't be a real boy but has taken on the appearance of one.

doganjo · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2017, 03:25:07 pm »

Quote from: Womble on April 14, 2017, 08:55:37 am

Possibly. I think one of our ducks had a heart attack due to a joy overload. We had to let them out because we needed the hay shed back for lambing, but three hours later one of them was floating two feet up in the pond .

Can I let mine out now then? I kept mine in their enclosure because I have a pond. Pigeons flying overhead, crows and jackdaws picking around. Only two weeks to go anyway I suppose but it would be much easier for me if they were out in the paddock, and so much nicer for them.