Doris or Boris?

[clucking chicks]

Hi All!
Please caan you help.... the strangest thing is happening to Doris. She has stopped laying eggs and stands on the top of her ramp making an egg laying noise first thing in the morning. Could she be trying to crow as there are no males in our coop? Should I change her name to Boris or is there anything I can do to encourage her feminine side? Thank you.

 

[chrismahon]

Could just be extreme 'top hen' behaviour or she could actually be changing due to a damaged ovary. As she is not laying perhaps Boris is appropriate CC ? She won't be able to reproduce but should grow a large comb and wattles, strut about and sometimes actually crow. Anyway Boris is a nice name and we have one.

 

[clucking chicks]

Thank you Chrismahon. I have a cunning plan though..... I will paint the inside of the coop pink to remind Doris that she is a lady!!!!

 

[Marigold]

I have one a bit like that, an Amber Star hybrid who laid well her first summer, last year, but stopped in October and hasn't laid since. She always had a big red comb and was always the top hen, but now she struts about like a male bird keeping an eye on the others. She doesn't crow and hasnt grown spurs, as someitmes happens, but i think it must be something hormonal that's stopping her from laying. Can't think what caused it.