Ancona Roos or pullets?

[madchickenlady]

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Hi, I'm new to this site and to chicken keeping! Ive been a frequent visitor to the site whilst researching what type of chickens to get, and found the info invaluable so finally joined. I've four chickens that I've raised from one week old. They are now 13 weeks old, and I've a horrid feeling I have three Roos and one pullet! Typical. I love them all.
So I'd welcome any views on whether my Anconas are boys or girls. And also if three Roos will live happily together with the girl, once they've established their pecking order.
Thanks.

 

[Wyandottes7]

Yes, it looks like you have three roosters. There's a lot of red comb for a thirteen week old bird, and I see shiny green feathers in their tails. The roosters will likely be happy living with your pullet, but the pullet will not be. The roosters will mount her too often, and she will loose feathers on her back/head/neck. Also, the roosters may not get along with each other if they have a hen to fight over. I'd seperate the roosters from the hen, or just keep on rooster.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I see all cockerels.

 

[madchickenlady]

Thank you for your replies. How awful. I live them all, but don't have room for any more hens so will have to get rid of the Anconas. They are so delightful. I only hope I can find a good home for tem as I certainly couldn't cook them.

 

[madchickenlady]

Meant love them all. :/

 

[BantamFan4Life]

All cockerels.

 

[pastryman]

You are not the first with this problem. If people don't eat their chickens, or at least the cockerels, then I think they should not buy chickens if they do not know the sex. And still that don't eliminate the problem.

Statistically 50 % will be cockerels. And you only need 0-25 % cockerels. This is a part of keeping chickens. If you buy all hens, it only means that someone else is killing cockerels.

 

[madchickenlady]

I know you're right Pastryman, and I know I'm being squeamish but I just feel I couldn't eat anything I've raised. Maybe I should as I'd at least know they'd had a good life and a clean death. But still can't do it.

 

[pastryman]

And I know it is not easy if you only got a few animals.

I had 14 chickens in one flock. 8 where cockerels. Now there are 4 cockerels and more will have to go soon. They get so hard on each other, that I am really just doing them a favor.

But to me, killing a chicken is not that hard any longer.

Because, they are chickens. Eating meat, killings small animals and pecking on each other. And not caring about one from the flock being gone. I think I could kill one in front of them and they would drink the blood. Of cause I don't.

Killing a goose/gander is hard. They are really intelligent. They can live in pairs, and no males have to go. They miss each other for weeks if you kill one from a small flock, and can be scared when they see you after you took one. If geese hear or see young goslings alone in another pen. They stop eating and mating for days. And just call and try to get over and help the gooslings. Killing a cockerel is easy if you have a flock. It is obvious that some have to go.

 

[roostersandhens]

If you can own roosters where you live you can keep them all! They wont fight with 0 hens! hens will make them fight, I say keep them!