The way you tell is that you lift it up by it's body. If the their claws retract, it's a rooster. If they are left dangling, it's a hen. Rooster are defensive. Hens are not. I was taught this at my local supplies store.
Several years ago you asked about ovarian cancer and watery bowel movements with dark green droppings. Did you ever figure it out? Asking because my 9 year old hen is having the same issues. Just trying to figure out how to move forward.
Thanks,
Leigh
What I know is that I have a black hen that has outlived others from two hawks and a fox (I was 10 feet away from the second hawk attack). Because of issues with hawks, I no longer free range.
There are some things you can fix, some things you can't. If she is egg bound, a relatively easy fix. I had something similar happen to one of my chickens. I thought she was egg bound. I took her to the vet. She had an enlarged gizzard that was basically suffocating her. I'm so sorry about...