Cockerel at 3 weeks?

[lilbeastpdx]

So I picked up this "girl" and wondered if it's too soon to call it a boy. It's taller then the nine others in the brooder. It's a SLW. Huge tail feathers already. But this biggest reason I ask is because it is SO aggressive! Flutters around the box and lands on the other chicks, pecks, even chest bumps already. My goodness. What do you all think?

 

[DeepDishChix]

I think it might be too early to tell, because it kinda hard to see how big the comb will be. Maybe post a pic when he's bigger and i'll be able to tell. If it's really aggressive though, that might be a way to tell if it's a rooster.

 

[lilbeastpdx]

I think it might be too early to tell, because it kinda hard to see how big the comb will be. Maybe post a pic when he's bigger and i'll be able to tell. If it's really aggressive though, that might be a way to tell if it's a rooster.

It is SUPER aggressive. Never seen a chick fly around and "tackle" other birds. Already chest bumping others at 2 weeks? Sheesh. And it's very big. Taller than all the others of the same age.

I seem to be very good at choosing the boys.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

It is too young to determine the gender, but it isn't looking like a cockerel yet.

 

[lilbeastpdx]

It is too young to determine the gender, but it isn't looking like a cockerel yet.

Thanks Rhodebar Lover. So, development of tail feathers (they are almost an inch long) at 2 weeks for a SLW and aggressive behavior and being taller than all the rest still is not a factor?

Now that I think about it, I imagine each breed has its own temperament and personality. I'm just amazed when I watch it--so big and fast and seems to love being bossy/controlling to the others.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Tail development has nothing to do with gender, in my experience hens have longer tail feathers at this age. Even pullets will often roughhouse at this age to try to figure out the pecking order.

 

[DeepDishChix]

Okay I will tell you what you wanna hear (Even tho I can't tell). That is a rooster. There. Happy now? Lol

 

[rides2far]

My most aggressive chick was an Easter egger pullet. Now she is the tamest & most docile. So there you go, you just never know.

 

[DeepDishChix]

@rides2far

 

[lilbeastpdx]

@rides2far

hahahaha you all are too funny. If I was any good at waiting, this would be a non-issue.

But I keep watching her and I'm so amazed at how "bossy" she seems to be lording it over the others. Hahaha. I definitely don't want a roo after giving away three roos last week. Time will tell I suppose. My last roos all crowed by 10 weeks of age (with full red combs and wattles).

And I can't believe I've become obsessed by my birds. They are addicting!