10-week old Australorp, hen or roo?

[TheFrogLady]

We bought a mixed flock of 5 chicks from Meyer Hatchery on June 1. All of them were supposed to be females. This very friendly Australorp has had a red comb since almost 5 weeks. She's top of the pecking order, for sure. We were trying to convince ourselves that she was just early to mature because she was in charge. Then the tail feathers started to curve, and we've started hearing some odd crow-like sounds coming from the coop in the early mornings. She's a rooster, isn't she?

 

[Acre4Me]

She’s about 9 weeks old? Then yes, likely a male!

 

[RoosterWhisperer]

nice chicken, it kind of looks that way.
Try @LothalRebel, she had an Aussie roo in the past, roosters of the breed get BIG.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Oh yeah, that's a cockerel

 

[TheFrogLady]

You guys were supposed to say "you silly newbie, you're panicking: everything's fine."

We'll have to find him a new home, I guess. From what I've been reading, there's no way to keep him around with only 4 hens, right? It's a shame--he's such a sweetheart, and he's our favorite. He follows my husband around everywhere when he's doing the yard work.

 

[CrazyCochin]

Where did you read that @TheFrogLady?

 

[RoosterWhisperer]

AWW, how sweet, but sad he has to go.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

Boy.

 

[RoosterWhisperer]

He would probably be fine with just 4 hens, or if he's lovely with people he could easily be separated and still be pretty happy.

 

[RoosterWhisperer]

@TheOddOneOut, you quote about giving more than getting is so true.