8 week old RIR.. can anyone help me identify if it's a he or a she?

[Angeltears247]

This is Soren, my awesome 8 week old RIR, I'm watching this one and trying to figure out if this is a he or a she! I'm suspecting "he" as I noticed that Soren has some black feathers coming in the tail and wings...no crow yet, but maybe to young? I read that RIR pullets are born with a dark spot or stripe on the head, I looked through my pics of when I brought Soren home and no stripe or spot. I will add that pic too!

If anyone has any input I'd love the feedback! Thanks everyone!!

 

[chickengirl778]

Looks like a roo is a definite possibility!

 

[debid]

Handsome cockerel. It isn't the black in the tail, though. Females can have that as well. It's the dark shading in the wing and lower back, the developing comb and wattles at such a young age, and the stance that all scream cockerel.

 

[BlackIce]

My guess is that little Soren is indeed a roo!

 

[Angeltears247]

I have been watching Sorens behavior and this is the stance "he" always has! As if "he" is full of confidence! I having been hoping this to be a roo, my flock of 18 didn't have one...til now hopefully!

 

[debid]

Oh, there's no maybe for me. That guy is very young for it but he's growing a saddle. The darker, pointy, shiny feathers on his lower back are his first rooster feathers -- a female would have the same sort of body feathers there as everywhere else. Males usually feather in like pullets first and then get the rooster feathers around 12-16 weeks but there are some early bloomers like yours.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Handsome cockerel. It isn't the black in the tail, though. Females can have that as well. It's the dark shading in the wing and lower back, the developing comb and wattles at such a young age, and the stance that all scream cockerel.

X2

 

[Angeltears247]

Oh, there's no maybe for me. That guy is very young for it but he's growing a saddle. The darker, pointy, shiny feathers on his lower back are his first rooster feathers -- a female would have the same sort of body feathers there as everywhere else. Males usually feather in like pullets first and then get the rooster feathers around 12-16 weeks but there are some early bloomers like yours.

I'm so happy to hear! And he has a good disposition with me and my family as we have been very hands on with all of our chicks since day one! I love it, He's my only straight run! Yay! He will be a good protector for the ladies!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I'm so happy to hear! And he has a good disposition with me and my family as we have been very hands on with all of our chicks since day one! I love it, He's my only straight run! Yay! He will be a good protector for the ladies!

You may want to read up on managing cockerels/ roosters. The hands on approach that creates this super friendly young bird often results in the worst sort of teenaged/adult male bird.

 

[Angeltears247]

You may want to read up on managing cockerels/ roosters. The hands on approach that creates this super friendly young bird often results in the worst sort of teenaged/adult male bird.

Oh no! Thanks for letting me know! I will definitely start doing some research! Yikes!!