Sex Change in Chickens?

[Cayuga momma]

This is right out of The Chicken Health Handbook, by Gail Damerow (2nd Edition)
Pg. 95
'Spontaneous sex change is a phenomenon whereby a hen develops the characteristics of a cock. When a hen's left ovary atrophies, the latent reproductive organ on the right side may develop into a combination ovary- testicle. While the dysfunctional left ovary reduces estrogen output, the testicular component of the right ovary releases testosterone. A tumor in the left ovary, or elsewhere, may also result in the production of testosterone.
As a result, the hen's comb grows larger, she may molt into male plumage, she may crow, and she may mount other hens. She may even produce viable sperm to fertilize eggs that hatch into chicks. Spontaneous sex change is more common in an older hen reaching the end of her productive life.
In a younger hen hormonal change may result from an infection. If the infection is successfully treated, the "cock" will revert back to a hen at the next molt. If the infection is cured before the next molt, the apparent "cock" will lay eggs. This phenomenon was once considered witchcraft, the most famous case being a "cock" named Basel that was burned at the stake in 1474 for laying eggs.'

I also found this document on the Rooster of Basel. It was an interesting read, but I didn't make it past page 5.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1075&context=ccr

Just thought I would share.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

In a younger hen hormonal change may result from an infection. If the infection is successfully treated, the "cock" will revert back to a hen at the next molt.

That's interesting to say the least.

I'm guessing that females produce some testosterone anyways even without a sex change. The development of sperm... I wanna see that!

I have a two year old hatchery barred rock hen who just started crowing. She was so subtly down with something it was barely noticeable (despite I spend hours each day with them and OCD attentive) and she IS my dominant hen. But she didn't lay eggs for about a week and they were white instead of tan when they started back up. THEN she started crowing on the same day I had a bunch of stags outside the barn waiting for processing.

I'm gonna have to come back and read that when I have time so I can see the details.

 

[Cebarmlds]

A friend of mine has this going on with a hen now, it has actually left a "mess" on her. It's just a year old.

 

[Cebarmlds]

Could a hen/rooster self fertilize her eggs?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Just because it crows I don’t think that is a sex change,I believe some dominant he’s/chickens crow.

 

[Betsy57]

I dipped my chickens this morning for bugs and immediately one gal started acting like a rooster. She's clucking, flapping her wings and crowing. The REAL rooster is cowering in the corner. I hope this doesn't last long. She's a Red Star and a good layer. I've heard about this before but never experienced it. The shock of the dipping must have revved her up to try to protect the rest of the gals. Oy vey!