4 month old RIR and can't decide on gender

[staceyl]

I know I should post a picture and will try to next week, but one specific question I have. If it IS a rooster, when should I expect crowing? The couple of references I've looked up vary wildly. S/He is about 4 months old and still clucking like my other hens, but very large comb and wattles and her/his body shape looks more like a rooster to me. I've looked at a ton of RIRs and can't decide at all. S/He does seem to be a bit of a leader and also seems to be the most imprinted on me - does that mean anything? I don't see any sign of trying to mount the other chickens. Is is too early for that?
Stacey

 

[Drafthorsegal]

Mine are exactly four months too... the roosters are very different combwise from the hens... no crowing, no mounting, very friendly....

I think the difference would be obvious by now. Like... NO Question obvious. If you post a pic we can help, but if you have other hens and the comb is far larger far brighter, with prominent waddles, you have a ROO.

 

[warmfuzzies]

Yes, it should be obvious. My 4 month old RIR and rock roos both have very visible rooster traits, (comb, wattles, pointed feathers, etc. ) and they have both started chasing the girls. No crowing yet, that I know off, (we have another rooster, so I may miss it) but they chase the hens and grab their heads. I bet you have a pullet!

 

[ams3651]

does it have irridescent greed tail feathers yet? Mine already is getting them at 2 months and its X with EE.

 

[staceyl]

See, that's my problem. I only have one RIR, so its not like I can compare side by side. Yes, there is definitely a comb and waddle and irredescent green feathers, but I see pics of combs and waddles on other female pics I've seen. Are the irridescent feathers a true sign of a roo? Or do some hens have them? The feathers look rounded to me, but that's sort of subjective.
No roo behavior that I can see. Actually they were in my strawberry patch last night and one of the other chickens set this one straight for trying to steal her strawberry, so would a hen do that do a rooster?
I clearly need to try to get some pics when I get home tonight and post them.
Stacey

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

im not completely sure, but he should at least be tring to crow by now my barred rocks will be 3 months old tommorrow, and the one picture on the left
under my username is already crowing u should post some picturs though

 

[speckledhen]

Are there stringy saddle feathers hanging off the sides, just in front of the tail? That would be what I'd look for.

 

[staceyl]

The green feathers are on the top of the tail. The tail rounds down - doesn't stick up nearly as far as on my Ameracuna and I'm pretty sure that she is a real girl - almost no comb at all.
Thanks for the help everyone. I really WILL try to get some pictures on tonight, but I have a feeling I won't know with 100% accuracy until the eggs start - none of my 4 are laying just yet.
Stacey

 

[staceyl]

Until i can get home and get another picture - does this one from about 2 months ago help at all? Its the one that is facing us. comb is larger now, of course.

 

[Chris09]

The RIR/Production Red looks like it a young Rooster..

Chris