Hi - new here, and new to chickens!
We have a flock of 5 chickens (2 Black Sexlink and 1 Red that are 9 weeks old, and 2 Ameraucana that are 6 weeks old), but we're beginning to suspect that one of our younger two may be a rooster. We live in town, and can't have roosters, so if "she" ends up being one, we need to rehome, and will hope to get 2 more chicks (since our local feed store is out of ducks, which we also wanted to try!)
We've spent a lot of time browsing the internet, and reading many different things: that comb color can help determine early if it's a rooster...or that it doesn't. That feather coloring can help determine hen from rooster...or that it can't. That hens CAN crow, it's usually the most dominant one - or that all hens can crow.... So much contradicting information! So now I've decided to just take the plunge, join, and post some photos to see if any of you can help!
We got Fried and Willie roughly 6 weeks ago, but a couple weeks ago we noticed "her" comb turning a bright red. Not too much longer later, Fried started making what sounded like a crowing noise. Of course, it was just once or twice, and we hadn't heard "her" do it since. Until this morning, my brother and sister in law heard some crowing, and after checking the coop, it came from where Fried was. Fried has always been a scrapper - working "her" way up the pecking order ever since we integrated them with the older chickens. "She's" still vying for 3rd from top, but the top 2 are older and bigger than "her" (the sex links) and keep "her" in line. Anyway, I tried to get some photos this morning, but I'm sure you know how chickens are!
Here is Fried:
For comparison, here's just one photo of our other 6-week old Ameraucana (and my sweetheart!!), Willy
Thank you for your help!
We have a flock of 5 chickens (2 Black Sexlink and 1 Red that are 9 weeks old, and 2 Ameraucana that are 6 weeks old), but we're beginning to suspect that one of our younger two may be a rooster. We live in town, and can't have roosters, so if "she" ends up being one, we need to rehome, and will hope to get 2 more chicks (since our local feed store is out of ducks, which we also wanted to try!)
We've spent a lot of time browsing the internet, and reading many different things: that comb color can help determine early if it's a rooster...or that it doesn't. That feather coloring can help determine hen from rooster...or that it can't. That hens CAN crow, it's usually the most dominant one - or that all hens can crow.... So much contradicting information! So now I've decided to just take the plunge, join, and post some photos to see if any of you can help!
We got Fried and Willie roughly 6 weeks ago, but a couple weeks ago we noticed "her" comb turning a bright red. Not too much longer later, Fried started making what sounded like a crowing noise. Of course, it was just once or twice, and we hadn't heard "her" do it since. Until this morning, my brother and sister in law heard some crowing, and after checking the coop, it came from where Fried was. Fried has always been a scrapper - working "her" way up the pecking order ever since we integrated them with the older chickens. "She's" still vying for 3rd from top, but the top 2 are older and bigger than "her" (the sex links) and keep "her" in line. Anyway, I tried to get some photos this morning, but I'm sure you know how chickens are!
Here is Fried:
For comparison, here's just one photo of our other 6-week old Ameraucana (and my sweetheart!!), Willy
Thank you for your help!
