Black Australorp is crowing -- do I have a rooster?!?

[akcountrygrrl]

Yep, sorry to say it but those two are definitely cockerels. I hope the farm will swap them out for you.

 

[HEChicken]

Oh my, this is terrible. My daughter is going to be so sad. Well that explains why they aren't laying!! I just hope that the farm will take them back; they are such lovely birds. We really love them, but we can't have roosters and I don't want fertilized eggs. Thanks again for everyone's help!

I understand about not being able to have roosters, since many cities have those restrictions but do not worry about eating fertilized eggs. There is no eating difference between fertile and infertile - you seriously would not be able to tell the difference. If you know what to look for, you can see fertilization in the form of a small bullseye on the yolk, but unless it is incubated, no development will occur. If you've ever bought Whole Foods or Trader Joe's eggs, or bought farm fresh eggs, you've probably eaten fertilized eggs and didn't even know it!

 

[nelleschickfarm]

Thanks, that's good to know. I was just worried about a surprise hatching! But I know that requires incubation, etc. Thanks again!

 

[featherz]

Thanks, that's good to know. I was just worried about a surprise hatching! But I know that requires incubation, etc. Thanks again!

Yes, as others have said, fertilized eggs are no big deal. I get three dozen eggs a day, all are presumably fertilized and I never have unexpected surprises. Just collect the eggs daily and you can't tell the difference.

Oh, and yes, those are both 10000% rooster.

 

[jhankerson10]

I hope that they are wrong --- I have 3 australorps that are 13 weeks old---- one has a much larger comb and wattle, and crows in a deeper voice---- the other two are smaller, with smaller combs and their wattles are half the size---- and both of them crow too lol--- I am still holding out that two of them are hens---- 3 roosters is way too many. I have been researching like crazy to see if the hens will crow, and the two that may be hens don't sound as deep or quite like a rooster. All I keep seeing is that dominant hens may crow when you don't have a rooster, but I do soooo? I am confused gl--- I hope it worked out for you.

 

[spikennipper]

I hope that they are wrong --- I have 3 australorps that are 13 weeks old---- one has a much larger comb and wattle, and crows in a deeper voice---- the other two are smaller, with smaller combs and their wattles are half the size---- and both of them crow too lol--- I am still holding out that two of them are hens---- 3 roosters is way too many. I have been researching like crazy to see if the hens will crow, and the two that may be hens don't sound as deep or quite like a rooster. All I keep seeing is that dominant hens may crow when you don't have a rooster, but I do soooo? I am confused gl--- I hope it worked out for you.

They are not wrong those two birds are 100% roos!

post pics of your birds and we might be able to help but yes if they are crowing at just over 3 months chances are they are roos, sorry

 

[nuttyredhead]

Those are both beautiful boys!!!

 

[crchickens]

What gorgeous roos, they are!!

 

[flewdacoop]

GOOD LOOKING ROOSTERS..

 

[donrae]

I hope that they are wrong --- I have 3 australorps that are 13 weeks old---- one has a much larger comb and wattle, and crows in a deeper voice---- the other two are smaller, with smaller combs and their wattles are half the size---- and both of them crow too lol--- I am still holding out that two of them are hens---- 3 roosters is way too many. I have been researching like crazy to see if the hens will crow, and the two that may be hens don't sound as deep or quite like a rooster. All I keep seeing is that dominant hens may crow when you don't have a rooster, but I do soooo? I am confused gl--- I hope it worked out for you.

Hens that crow are older, mature females. Young pullets just don't crow. Young cockerals do. Start a new thread and post pics and we can help you out.