Baby roos

[Dannee]

Hi guys Me again....As you know my babies are still very young. I am hopeful for all 8 being hens.....if I get a Roo....I'm assuming that is what you call roosters How will I know and at what age? What should I look for? I am new to this as you know and will need guidance I don't want to breed chickens right now....maybe in the future don't know yet. Would I separate him or leave him with the hens and collect eggs as normal or do something different?.....lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are different signs and indications, but it is kind of hard to give clear guidelines as to how to tell them apart or even at what age. Some are pretty easy at a relatively young age but some take a lot longer. It varies by breed. Roosters normally develop wattles and have redder combs earlier than hens, but no always. Roosters sometimes have more upright posture than hens of the same breed, but not always. Rooster's legs may or may not be heavier than hen's legs. Even behavior is not a dead givewawy. Females will often square off and fight. Not a lot of help I know.

If you do have a rooster, you do not need to do anything different. Fertile eggs do not taste or look any different than non-fertile eggs. The hens will lay about the same whether a rooster is present or not. It is possible, especially during his adolescent phase, that a rooster causes some problems, but it is also very possible he will not.

Once they get older and you have enough posts on this sight so you can post pictures, you might put some photos on here and ask what people think.

Good luck!

 

[Dannee]

Thank you for the info I have 2 Plymouth Rocks that are 2 weeks old and introduced the rest of the bunch Friday (2 black Jersey Giants, 2 buff Standard Brahmas and 2 light Standard Brahmas) They are acting like they are family The one Plymouth Rock seems to be the most outgoing, the other one is very laid back and passive.....Nellie the outgoing one took a day or two to adjust to the new babies and is now fine....she's not afraid of anything...lol I have a buff Brahma that is very curious and not afraid of anything either. What happens if I get more than one roo? Stupid question, but I don't want any major issues if I can nip it in the bud.....