Ah, crap. My hen might be a roo.

[Volker27]

We got our chicks last Saturday from an awesome feed store that has an annual 'chick day'. They don't get their chicks usually until the day before 'chick day.'

SO, we got 5 different breeds. I picked out an Australorp, put it in the box, bought all my chicks, got in the car, and noticed that my Australorp was about twice the size of the rest of the girls. I know that it's super early to tell for sure, but I'm about 90% positive that SHE, is in fact, a HE. Here's the differences I'm noticing - His leg thickness is about twice the size of the rest of them, he walks super straight up and down with his neck always straighter, he is just now getting tiny tail feathers, where as the rest of them having pretty decent sized tail feathers already. If we take one of the girls out of the brooder, and he hears her crying, he 'calls' for her. Just very protective overall of the flock. He's already roosting, dust bathing, etc. He also doesn't like to be held AT ALL and the rest of them do.

I know, I know. It will be a couple more weeks before I can tell for sure. But I'm going to be SO sad if we have to get rid of him. We live in the city and aren't allowed roosters. Any ideas? Could it just be the breed?

 

[epmchickens]

I have a few australorps and luckily all were hens. They seem to have extra delicate legs. Maybe its just mine but if yours has thick ones maybe a boy? Good news maybe thay size doesn't always matter. I have a male and female d'uccle about 4 weeks old and she could EAT him if she wanted to lol. She is so much bigger! I know its a she because of other secondary sex characteristics but still. My point is size doesn't always matter

 

[ozarkchicks]

well thick legs and slow feathering points to a boy but I'd give it some more time