Bedtime drama

[Rick589]

Yeah, that's a hard one at 2 months. I see some things female but some also male. The posture is male but body shape more female. The legs are a bit heavy but not that heavy. The comb could be either, even at 8 or 9 weeks, but the bright red wattles makes me think probably a male.

Does it have pointy hackle feathers? Hard to tell on that photo.

No, not seeing any noticeable hackle or saddle feathers as of yet. We’ve had a hen jump ahead and look like it was a rooster this early before so…….l. First weak crow will settle the matter. I just hope that as it gets older it will find its place in the flock and defend itself to the point of backing everyone off. Interestingly, the hen that has the biggest problem with this little one is the only hen that’s my buddy. I can pick her up at will and carry her around, she nips at my pant leg to let me know she wants attention and to be picked up, she greets me every morning, she squats for me at times. That last one is a bit weird but all told I’m aware that she is definitely jealous of me and have been careful not to pay too much,or any, attention to these young ones within her view.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

No, not seeing any noticeable hackle or saddle feathers as of yet. We’ve had a hen jump ahead and look like it was a rooster this early before so…….l. First weak crow will settle the matter. I just hope that as it gets older it will find its place in the flock and defend itself to the point of backing everyone off. Interestingly, the hen that has the biggest problem with this little one is the only hen that’s my buddy. I can pick her up at will and carry her around, she nips at my pant leg to let me know she wants attention and to be picked up, she greets me every morning, she squats for me at times. That last one is a bit weird but all told I’m aware that she is definitely jealous of me and have been careful not to pay too much,or any, attention to these young ones within her view.

She squats? Forgive me for asking, but are you absolutely sure of her age? Her comb color and size would be completely expected by 15-16 weeks, along with the squatting, but 8-9 weeks; wow.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Appreciate the advice. I don’t, at this point, really have a convenient spot to relocate although it could be done. I’ll give it a go per your recommendation.

You most likely are correct. The reason I mentioned plenty of space is because the five adults all roosted on the same roost while another shorter roost went unused other than being a jumping off point. I’ve actually installed yet another roost (divided by the cardboard) to provide even more roosting space and they still all want to be on the one roost yet want to harass the young ones for being on unused roosting space.

Are all the roosts at the same height?

 

[Rick589]

She squats? Forgive me for asking, but are you absolutely sure of her age? Her comb color and size would be completely expected by 15-16 weeks, along with the squatting, but 8-9 weeks; wow.

Yes, the one that squats is 14 months old and has been laying for awhile. I think I may not have been clear, the one in the picture is the harassed one which is 9 weeks old. The harass-er is the older one that squats for me.

 

[Rick589]

Are all the roosts at the same height?

Yes and no. The two original roosts are the same height and are located on opposite sides of the coop and be jumped between. But, in an attempt to help calm this situation down I installed a shorter and lower roost, and ultimately installed some upright cardboard to block this lower roost. My thinking was that this drama would calm if the young chicken used the lower roost and not irritate the older ones by using the higher roost. I was actually planning on raising this lower roost to the same height as the others today because the young one doesn't sit on it anyway. It ends up in a nest box.
I was curious as to whether the different reactions of the older chickens towards these two young ones would indicate their sex.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Yes, the one that squats is 14 months old and has been laying for awhile. I think I may not have been clear, the one in the picture is the harassed one which is 9 weeks old. The harass-er is the older one that squats for me.

Oh, sorry, I did get lost there. thanks

 

[Rick589]

You don't need much for one chicken. This is our broody jail. It's the XXL or largest the TSC or whatever store had when we got it like a decade ago.


View attachment 4210461

You know I do actually have a cage and a large garage. Sometimes the lights are on but no ones homes. Thank for reminding me.

 

[Rick589]

Oh, sorry, I did get lost there. thanks

Been there, done that……way too many times.

 

[Rick589]

Hey, here’s a silly question. Do chickens know the sex of the peeps from day one or are they in the dark for awhile just like us?

 

[Debbie292d]

Hey, here’s a silly question. Do chickens know the sex of the peeps from day one or are they in the dark for awhile just like us?

No, they don't know sexes as far as I know. If they did, they don't reveal it in any way or I'd know the sex of my silkies far sooner than 3-4 months.