She is Woman, hear her Cock-a-Doodle-Do.
Her name is Mabel (the buff on the right) and lately she’s been quite the little diva. Last week when we were going though that crazy heat spell, we opened our bedroom windows at the crack of dawn to feel the cool morning air. We laid in bed listening to the surrounding roosters and our happy clucking hens. All of a sudden we heard this ‘bawk-bawk-bawk-a-doodle-do’ coming from one of our girls. Just the most dreadful, meager little crow sounding much like when our late rooster Lincoln was learning how to crow. It seems that Mabel has decided to become the resident rooster. We had read about this when we were learning about chickens, that if left to rule the roost for too long that a hen could start to act like a rooster and begin to crow. It’s a soft crow, no need to go rushing around apologizing to the neighbors like before.
Mabel, luckily acts just as much of a lady as she did before. We think actually that she might have a crush on the wild rooster down the street. Last summer a rooster got loose and made it’s home in the new subdivision a few blocks away. We had three knocks on our door of neighbors and police officers asking if it was ours. They’ve done all they can to catch it, but with no luck. It’s the closest rooster around, so maybe Mabel is ‘flirting’. Who knows.
Have you ever heard your hens ever started crowing?
I’ve read about that too! Sounds pretty cute. Is that a speckled sussex on the right? I have a few that are finally almost big enough to introduce to my gals.
Hi Erin, That’s a Coocoo Maran. I got them because they said they laid chocolate brown eggs, but they lay lighter brown eggs than our Buff does. Oh well, they are still pretty, both eggs and hens.
I have a Buff Wyandotte who looks very much like your Mabel! My girl is Lillian and she has been worrying me terribly because she is only about five months old and she crows – loudly and frequently! I was terrified she was a rooster, but seeing your girl comforts me as they are pretty much identical only my girl is a bit more orange. Does your girl lay and how old is she? Thanks! Shelley.
Yes, they all lay but they are almost 3 years old. Ours started laying when they were 6 months old. Good luck with Lillian!
Ah yes, Featherball our rhode island red hen, who is also top of the pecking order, crows everytime someone lays an egg. Or when the neighbor’s cat comes to visit. My theory, ahem, is that in a flock without a rooster, someone decides to develop the talent of crowing. She can make quite a racket, and so far the neighbors have not complained…hmmm, maybe I should give those neighbors some eggs now and again?
Gorgeous photos…
I would love to know how the heck you get such gorgeous and clear photos of your hens? Gorgeous picture.
I think that’s so sweet and cute that she’s crowing. I’ve heard of hens doing that too but none of mine have. I will say that our Buff Orpington was the loudest hen we ever had. Is that what Mabel is?
No crowing yet….but it may be in our future
We have one chicken that seems to be the ‘boss’ and self-appointed leader of our flock of eight. Last night, one of our kittens got in the garden with the girls and began stalking them. They all cowed behind an orange tree except an Americauna (who our son named ‘Cash Avery’ – great superhero name don’t ya think?). This brave hen went right out and pecked at the startled kitten and he fled the scene….too funny!
That is a riot! I hope I get to hear her tomorrow! Beautiful picture of the little ladies!
We have a hen who crows. Bless her heart, she tries so hard ,but it never sounds just right.
We have a brand new Ameraucana pullet- we only have 3 pullets now, all between 15-20 weeks of age. The little Ameraucana crowed this morning! It was a pitiful, very soft crow- she seemed to do it in response to the rooster down the road. I had a moment’s pause, but I really do think she’s a confused hen- I saw her brother, obviously a roo, and she has all the female characteristics… I really don’t want a roo!
Are there any chicken breeds that are hardy in hot and cold weather? Here in the Midwest weather gets really crazy. Thanks, -Emma