Ethel or Ernest?

[chickinsaw]

Hubs and I are still up in the air on whether we have an Erhel or Ernest? About four months old and have yet to hear a crow. Any educated guesses would be wonderful!

 

[enola]

No guesses, rooster 100%

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

No guessing about it - that is an Ernest.

 

[chickinsaw]

I've said Ernest too. I think it's odd that he isn't crowing though.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are there other roosters in your flock?

 

[chickinsaw]

We had one other but he was re-homed two weeks ago.
We are brand new to the chicken adventure so are learning as we go.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

We had one other but he was re-homed two weeks ago.
We are brand new to the chicken adventure so are learning as we go.

The presence of the other male may have been part of the delay in him finding his crow - often a subordinate male will not "announce" himself as doing so would invite attention from the dominant male. In addition to that, just as with human children, they mature at different rates and it is possible that your Ernest is just a bit of a late bloomer in the voice department.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The dark red patchiness over the wing area is a typical male pattern - and if you look you can see that your boy is developing the long, flowing, pointy saddle feathers characteristic of a male - the "Fabio feathers" if you will.

 

[chickinsaw]

The presence of the other male may have been part of the delay in him finding his crow - often a subordinate male will not "announce" himself as doing so would invite attention from the dominant male.  In addition to that, just as with human children, they mature at different rates and it is possible that your Ernest is just a bit of a late bloomer in the voice department. 

: ) Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

 

[Michael OShay]

Definitely Ernest; he will start crowing at some point.