Pullets or cockerels

[zionschickens]

Hi. We have five 11-14 week old chickens in question. I’m really hoping to be able to keep at least a few but it’s seeming like many of them are turning out to be cockerels…

These are the chickens I’d like to get opinions on:
1. Brahma
2. Smaller white silkie
3. Black silkie. Second white silkie (silkie that has small black patch on wing)
4. Lavender Orpington
5. Amercauna all black

Thank you for your help!

 

[SilverBirds]

Silkies aside, the Brahma is the only female. The other two (4&5) are cocks.

 

[Chicks in VA]

So, it looks like you have roosters
Then I think silkie 1 is female
not sure about the other 2 but I'm guessing they are female

 

[JedJackson]

I agree with SilverBirds.

For the Silkies, we need clear comb shots to have any chance to sex them.

 

[zionschickens]

I agree with SilverBirds.

For the Silkies, we need clear comb shots to have any chance to sex them.

Thank you so much! I will get better photos of their combs ASAP and share

 

[zionschickens]

Silkies aside, the Brahma is the only female. The other two (4&5) are cocks.

Thank you! I really love the Brahma so I was crossing my fingers she was female!

 

[Sussex19]

The Brahma is pullet, I'm no good at silkies, and the other two are cockerels.

 

[Finnie]

The Brahma is pullet, I'm no good at silkies, and the other two are cockerels.

This is what I was going to say. Good luck with your silkies.

Is there any way you can keep a rooster? I absolutely love my lavender Orpington rooster.

 

[Finnie]

That’s the one my partner wants to keep. He is huge! But so far our 8 month old hens are not being very nice to any of the roosters at all, so I’m just not sure if we’re going to be able to keep one!

Give them some time. Once they are fully mature, they will probably have worked it out. In my opinion, having older females “teach” younger cockerels is good for them. When the females are the same age, the cockerels reach sexual maturity first, and then harass the pullets before they are ready. Eventually everyone grows up and it’s all good.

 

[zionschickens]

Give them some time. Once they are fully mature, they will probably have worked it out. In my opinion, having older females “teach” younger cockerels is good for them. When the females are the same age, the cockerels reach sexual maturity first, and then harass the pullets before they are ready. Eventually everyone grows up and it’s all good.

Thank you! I find this really reassuring. They were pretty brutal, to the point where I was pretty scared for the roosters, but this definitely gives me hope. I am bummed about how many roosters we ended up with, so I would love to be able to keep one. We’ll definitely give it a shot.