9 week old chicken is HUGE

[Colberon]

Welcome! I agree with everyone here; he's a hybrid meat type cockerel.
These birds are meant to be in the freezer by eight to ten weeks of age, and tend to have very short lives if you try to keep them longer. They are very likely to develop heart failure, and/ or severe joint problems, because of their huge size and growth rate.
Mary

Thank you, before reading your comment I spoke with my husband and we plan to give her to a friend of his who raises meat chickens. She/he is already miserable and can barely stand.

 

[Colberon]

Since you’ve all been so helpful; any thoughts on gender for the one standing directly in front of the door? We’ve kind of thought this one might be a cockerel and not the other, lol!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's a gold laced Wyandotte pullet.

 

[Fluffnut]

That's why backyard chicken keepers (such as we here) are trying to bring back dual purpose or at least less grotesque hybrids. It's cruel to the birds and not as good for the people anyway (fewer vitamins and such), but the large scale producers don't care about that. Some of the things they do to their laying hens!
However since people have begun to be more self sufficient, companies have begun reforming to the new standards as (at least, the u.s.) has started to become more aware of what they are eating.
That seems to be a very pretty Gold Laced Wyandotte pullet.

 

[Folly's place]

She's a pretty girl!
Mary

 

[Barbs Girls]

Thank you, before reading your comment I spoke with my husband and we plan to give her to a friend of his who raises meat chickens. She/he is already miserable and can barely stand.

Good for you- not always an easy choice but it’s the right one! Congrats on your new flock.

 

[Colberon]

That's why backyard chicken keepers (such as we here) are trying to bring back dual purpose or at least less grotesque hybrids. It's cruel to the birds and not as good for the people anyway (fewer vitamins and such), but the large scale producers don't care about that. Some of the things they do to their laying hens!
However since people have begun to be more self sufficient, companies have begun reforming to the new standards as (at least, the u.s.) has started to become more aware of what they are eating.
That seems to be a very pretty Gold Laced Wyandotte pullet.

I feel terrible for him, he can' hardly move or breathe, I couldn't imagine what was wrong with "her" because I specifically went to purchase two Araucana's and I questioned at the time if she was indeed and was told yes. We will be taking care of him tomorrow.

 

[Celticdragonfly]

Agreed on the gold laced Wyandotte pullet. Those are the PRETTIEST birds IMO.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry for your red cockerel! These birds are pathetic. This is why I raise our own chickens, and stick to dual purpose types.
Your guy had the best life he could have, it's just very short.
Mary

 

[Colberon]

So sorry for your red cockerel! These birds are pathetic. This is why I raise our own chickens, and stick to dual purpose types.
Your guy had the best life he could have, it's just very short.
Mary

Thank you Mary, I'm just glad that we found out so that he can be put out of his misery; I've checked on him several times the past couple of days because I was concerned about his breathing in inability to get around.