Stray Chicken?

BACKGROUND: I've never heard of a stray chicken, but I have one. One day it showed up in my fenced backyard in a suburb backing a large field near the interstate. I'm guessing someone dumped it around easter time in the field. I guess it was motivated enough to find my yard and somehow get into it, the only one around that has bird feeders, and the one which had activity of gardening and mowing and washing the dog that day. My dog was very suprised when I let her out that evening and the chicken was at the back patio. It was very thirsty, and hungry too. I own parrots, not chickens, but from what I could tell, this one seemed pretty thin. Poor thing! My husband has minimal experience with chickens, and he bought some feed and waterer on the way home from work. We housed it in a dog cage, trying to find the owner. Well, that was about 6-7 weeks ago. In the interum, we decided we now owned a chicken, so we bought a little coop, and another chick, housed inside until old enough to join the other. I've also been lurking on this site the whole time, and just joined today. I've taken in stray cats and dogs in the past, but never heard of a stray chicken!

QUESTIONS: Is this a pullet or a cockrel? I thought it was a pullet, but the last week it has begun to start making noises like it is trying to crow in the mornings. The tail feathers are starting to come in now, and they look green. From studying the threads here, I'm guessing this is a Wellsummer, is that right, or is it a mutt? I posted the pics I took the day it came to my yard, and today. Thanks for reading. I'm a total novice and open to any suggestions as well.

I'm no expert but I'd say if he's starting to crow obviously it's a boy. The hackle feathers sort of look like he could be a rooster. Take my opinion with a grain of salt though because I had a pullet that I swore was a rooster until she laid an egg.

oooh, I hope you're wrong, but thanks for replying. Maybe it's just making noise because it wants it's morning treat? I dunno. I guess I'm just hoping for a pullet. It also honks like a goose when it senses a big predator bird around, so maybe it is just an identity crisis? lol

chickysaw said:

oooh, I hope you're wrong, but thanks for replying. Maybe it's just making noise because it wants it's morning treat? I dunno. I guess I'm just hoping for a pullet. It also honks like a goose when it senses a big predator bird around, so maybe it is just an identity crisis? lol

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That is a rooster, and I am not sure of the breed, but I think it may be a wellsummer.

Look up wellsummer roosters. They look very similar to yours, and if it's crowing it is definitely a rooster. Wellsummer roosters have different coloring than the hens.

You could also check for saddle feathers. They are the feathers in between the back and tail feathers. They will be long, thin, and shiny. You can also look for hackle feathers, which will look the same as the saddle feathers except they are the feathers on the neck.

Ok, I just took a couple more photos (sorry about the quality!) to focus on the rear. From what I've read on this site, the shape really looks like a roo, doesn't it.

Thank you everyone for your replies and advice. Looks like he is a roo I guess, darn it! My area doesn't allow them. Luckily, my husband works with a guy who loves roos. I think he will be getting a present this week, and the two young pullets I bought as companions will get more room to run around in the coop. This is a great community. I appreciate this great resource, and I'll continue to learn as I raise my girls.