New at chickens and would love some input!

Hi everyone,
We have 9 baby chicks and they are between 6.5 - 8 weeks old. This has been the BEST experience raising them from just a few days old. My kids and I have named them and we/they have grown very attached to "their" special chick. About 3 days ago, we heard one (maybe more than one), starting to crow. My son is heartbroken because we can't keep roosters where we live and we are thinking that it is his chick that is going to be a rooster. I've attached some pictures and I'd love any feedback. All of our babes were sexed and from feed stores. We knew that there were risks that they might not all be female. Here is our chick family:

Lovey - Light Brahma - picture 1

Lovey - picture 2

Ash - Black Australorp

Buffy - Buff Orpington - pic 1

Buffy - pic 2

Falcon - Easter Egger - pic 1

Falcon - pic 2

Storm - Black Australorp

Honey - Rhode Island Red -pic 1

Honey - pic 2

Henny Penny - Light Brahma - pic 1

Henny Penny - pic 2

Rocky - Barred Rock

Large Marge - Easter Egger - pic 1

Large Marge - pic 2


Thank you for any help you can provide!!

Falcon appears to be the only one with a suspiciously red comb. At this age, that is the best way to tell the boys from the girls. That and crowing.

Thank you for your thoughts! Appreciate it! Falcon is my son's chick and when we hear the little "crowing attempt" we never can catch any of them in the act.

Falcon looks like the only Roo to me at this point.

The only suspicious-looking one is Falcon, in my opinion. Sorry! I've gone through the same thing, and I wanted to let you know that there are a few options when it comes to "suppressing" a cockerel that don't involve eating him (if you're against that). Some work better than others, but a lot of people have had success with a NoCrow collar.

Thanks everyone. Yeah, we aren't wanting to make a dinner from Falcon. I've read a bit about the no-crow collar and am curious if that would work. It seems to reduce the noise but it doesn't eliminate it completely (according to what I've read). Thanks again for the input!

Cyclonechick said:

Thanks everyone. Yeah, we aren't wanting to make a dinner from Falcon. I've read a bit about the no-crow collar and am curious if that would work. It seems to reduce the noise but it doesn't eliminate it completely (according to what I've read). Thanks again for the input!

Click to expand...

I was/am against dinner out of my pets as well. The crow ends up being about as loud as a hen, certainly less than a barking dog (at least that is what I've heard). We haven't heard my capon crow with his collar on tight enough, so maybe it is working.

Welcome! Falcon is definitely a cockrel, and at eight weeks of age, it's still possible that another might turn up in your flock. You might be able to rehome him to another flock, but it can be difficult. If roosters are illegal where you live, that's tough. All the neighborhood would have to be on your side for him to stay, because the crowing will happen. I love it myself, much less annoying than any barking dog, but unless you can make a change in your local laws soon, that's it. Mary

Thanks Mary. Falcon gave us 4 short "rooster crows" yesterday morning. And it was definitely him. : (
I've started asking around to see about a home for him. I might try the "no crow" collar but we can't have 30 + chickens given our city code. And I really don't know how quickly chickens (with Falcon's help) make chicks. Such a bummer!

Thanks again everyone for your help. It's really appreciated!
Susan

I agree the best option is to rehome Falcon, but if you do manage to keep him, don't worry about baby chicks. Chickens are one of the easiest animals to manage their reproduction. simply collect eggs every day or every other day at the minimum and you won't have any baby chicks. keep an eye out for hens hiding nests somewhere, be sure you get all the eggs. No incubation means no baby chicks. Easy peasy.