Hens Can Crow

By Elena Johnson CVC AC

Yes, hens can crow. It’s not as loud as a rooster but not uncommon in flocks of all hens.  In many cases the dominant hen will become the protector of the flock, in addition to the half crow, she may cease to lay eggs and even grow spurs to rival a rooster’s.

If you previously had a rooster, the hen can adopt the habit of crowing. There is also a phenomenon known as “sex reversal” this happens when a hen’s left ovary (left produces all of the estrogen) fails or is damaged. When estrogen levels drop, and the testosterone levels rise, they start to transform like a rooster.