What's happening?

[sheena]

Errr, how do I put this?

One of my ex-batts are getting what look like spurs?
Top chook - Wonky, has got little bumps below her ID ring.

On my first look I thought it was just her back toe... but nooooooo... it deffo looks like a spur.

Now I know that chooks can't change sex - or can they?
They can take on characteristics but actually take on the look too?

Oh my! Someone tell i'm not losing my mind

[Nicos]

Yes- they can change sex!...sort of...

Is she the 'Big Boss' of the flock???

[sheena]

I'm afraid she is Nicos... she is one of 2 of the originals left.

I've had her now since March last year, she's was 2nd in line after Asbo, but when Asbo passed i'm guessing that gave her automatic rights to being top bird.
I checked Baldy who was the other, and she don't show any signs of extra limbs or digits.

I was only saying in the last couple of weeks that she weighs way more than the others.

When you say sort of, do you mean in a transvestite type of way - pre op? lol
Pardon the expressions, i'm still in shock

[Nicos]

Yikes- I'm no expert on this at all- but peeps have asked before about a female starting to crow and grow bigger fleshy bits.
Sometimes to do with an ovary closing down.

Have a good look through the Rule the Roost section - you'll pick up quite a bit from there.
Is she still laying? - at least that would mean at least one ovary is working!

I have 2 cockerels so there's little chance of one of mine turning into a bloke!

[sheena]

Will just have to keep my eyes peeled for any funny business.

What's the worst that can happen??
I get a geezer bird! lol

[Snadger]

Quite a few of my old 'laydees' have spurs! Nowt to worry about!

My cockerels spurs ARE something to worry about now though as they are vicious points which one of them tries to use on me at every chance he gets, coming at me feet first! I have to keep a stick by the gate now!

[Glutton4...]

From my first eight Batties - two had spurs. They were the two dominant ones, so I wondered if it was a hormonal thing

From the Christmas 2009 rescue, I have two with spurs. They fight for supremacy on a daily basis, until Asbo jumps on them to split them up - so I guess it may be a hormonal thing.

They are laying, friendly, and definitely female. They just have spurs.

[Liza]

Just to throw a spanner in the works....

My ( female ? ) Buff Orp turned into a boy, but had no spurs.

My replacement Ruby, mimicks the dog barking !

[CoraxAurata]

Also some breeds have more spur in the female than others - as a hybrid maybe your girl is just tending more towards one ancestor than another...?

Leghorn femals can have real roosterish combs for example...