Are my barneys all boys???

[Troika]

All 3 are chasing down my Orpington cockerel so behaviour-wise, they sure look Roo.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

At their age I would think they are all boys too. The second may be a pullet, but not sure give it more time.

 

[Troika]

When does the double lacing show up in the chest feathers in the hens? Mine are all black in the front from what I can see.

Must be my inexperience but I really can’t tell if they’ve feathered out or not...

And do chickens go through any obvious moult in the tropics? I always read about it but most of y’all have 4 seasons. I only have hot and hotter.

 

[cstephens1987]

When does the double lacing show up in the chest feathers in the hens? Mine are all black in the front from what I can see.

Must be my inexperience but I really can’t tell if they’ve feathered out or not...

And do chickens go through any obvious moult in the tropics? I always read about it but most of y’all have 4 seasons. I only have hot and hotter.

Yeah based on the patterning and other indicators I'm imagining all three are cockerels

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

When does the double lacing show up in the chest feathers in the hens? Mine are all black in the front from what I can see.

Must be my inexperience but I really can’t tell if they’ve feathered out or not...

And do chickens go through any obvious moult in the tropics? I always read about it but most of y’all have 4 seasons. I only have hot and hotter.

Chest patterns are there at 8 weeks with pullets. I don't have the silver though.

A member who lives in Africa @Pork Pie says he doesn't see a yearly molt in his birds.

 

[danceswithronin]

This one looks like a pullet to me. Everything else looks like a cockerel.

 

[Troika]

Oh sorry... that one is definitely a pullet. She’s a GL Orpington who wouldn’t move out of the picture

If they do turn out to be 3 boys, I’ve read that I can keep all 3 together if there are no hens around. But would they be awfully noisy crowing all day?? I was told that one crow normally triggers a chorus so would 3 boys together be a real cacophony??

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

All roosters are different. Some get along, some don't. Barnevelder seem to be more mild than other breeds as well as quieter. Mine have been at least. Perhaps the silver are different that the double laced. All you can do is keep them together and see how it goes. I find penning them where they can still see the flock and interact through a fence works best, but others say put them farther away. I would think they would crow more under those circumstances.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Oh sorry... that one is definitely a pullet. She’s a GL Orpington who wouldn’t move out of the picture

If they do turn out to be 3 boys, I’ve read that I can keep all 3 together if there are no hens around. But would they be awfully noisy crowing all day?? I was told that one crow normally triggers a chorus so would 3 boys together be a real cacophony??

Thanks!

They'll crow just as much as when they're with hens.

 

[Troika]

Update: they’re all BOYS! 2 have started crowing and I just caponised the last one at 3.5months.