Why is my hen crowing?!

[nzchickmama]

I had 2 chickens, one of whom turned out to be a rooster (he started crowing about 10 weeks old and turned into a beautiful looking boy), but we had to rehome him. Once he’d gone, and before the newbies arrived, our remaining hen started crowing. Not a full blown crow, but a decent warble nonetheless. I’ve also noticed in the last little while her comb and wattle has gotten bigger and redder. She’s about 5 months old, not laying yet, and I’m certain she’s a chicken! I’ll attach a photo of her before the rooster left, and after (She’s the brown one)

Is it because we lost the rooster that she’s started crowing?

 

[nzchickmama]

I should add that her behaviour is hen-like and she doesn’t have the upright posture our rooster had. We’ve also recently got 2 new little chickens (6weeks old), so she is maybe just asserting her dominance over them?

 

[nuthatched]

Hens crow too if there's no roo to alert them.

 

[nzchickmama]

Hens crow too if there's no roo to alert them.

That’s a relief!

 

[Mya05]

We have two pullets from our neighbors, and they didn't have a rooster. The lead pullet acts like a rooster, and will even occasionally crow with our boys. It is normal for a flock of only pullets/hens for one to fill in the roll of a rooster, and take care of the flock.

 

[nzchickmama]

We have two pullets from our neighbors, and they didn't have a rooster. The lead pullet acts like a rooster, and will even occasionally crow with our boys. It is normal for a flock of only pullets/hens for one to fill in the roll of a rooster, and take care of the flock.

Phew! Do you think it’ll restrict her laying?

 

[black_cat]

Phew! Do you think it’ll restrict her laying?

Usually it will not.

 

[black_cat]

Hens will occasionally crow as they take over in the top spot in the flock. It is most common in older hens, but I believe it was @Overo Mare who had a crowing pullet. It makes sense because she is filling the role of the 'missing' rooster.

 

[JedJackson]

No need to worry. That is definitely a hen. Her comb and wattles have grown and colored up because she's almost to the point of lay. The crowing may continue or may stop altogether in time.

 

[Painted Calls]

My crowing pullet is now a crowing hen. She crows every morning and gives me an egg every day.