A very confused Chicken...thoughts please

[CayuseRanch]

So a little over a month ago after reading chicken for dummies books, I bought some young laying hens from a friend that got into chickens almost two years ago. He took me into his chicken coop and I picked out two chickens from his 1 year olds and 3 from his 7 month olds. Each pick was chosen by the color of egg it lays...I wanted a colorful egg basket lol. Well after we got home with the chickens, I tried to watch each girl and catch them laying. There was only one that I didn't think had laid. My son swears he saw her lay, but I never had. She would go in the nesting boxes and hang out but never were there any new eggs under her. Then today I got to really looking at her and Im starting to notice some things that are not so hen-nish. Here's my thought....

If she is a He then why at over a year old........
1 - Does he like to sit in the laying boxes?
2 - Why doesn't he crow
3 - he has not showed any sexual interest in the hens

If He is a She then....

Why are her tail feathers drooping

Why is her neck so long.........

and finally....why does she look like she is growing spurs??????

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Steergirl]

I think it is a she. Hens can get spurs and can have varying lengths of feathers and even some "pointed" feathers. With that little comb and no wattles I highly doubt that it is a roo. Maybe she is laying but you don't know it.

 

[chickenlady4321]

Steergirl is right. We actually had the same problem with an americana hen. One day we walked in on her while she was laying an egg and we were in shock ^-^

 

[juliechick]

The saddle and hackle feathers say Rooster. Every now and then you get one that is gender confused. If you really want to be sure if it's laying or not, why don't you separate it for a week or so? I would bet money you won't get any eggs.

 

[Steergirl]

I have noticed with the Ameracauna's (sp?) and EE's they tend to get pointed feathers.

 

[juliechick]

Well, the pullets sometimes appear to have pointed feathers because of the way their feathers are marked. But, a hen would not have long, thin, pointed feathers like these. Also, you can sex EEs by their color pattern and that pattern indicates a rooster. Maybe Illia or someone can back me up?

 

[Illia]

No doubt a boy!!!


That is a male Easter Egger (not Ameraucana)


Plumage olor, saddle feathers, comb size and color, spur size, etc all point to it, but most of all - plumage color and saddle feathers.

 

[Steergirl]

Oopps then my best layer is a boy. Hope you get it figured out!

 

[CayuseRanch]

I have 2 new hens in my tractor for quarantine but when they are out I am going to separate, bit no bets I am quite sure it's a rooster

 

[mother o' chicks72]

separate it (i think it's a girl) for a while and see if it lays

and if it's a rooster who doesn't crow or mate your hens, well then just consider him a pet