Black Australorps in NJ

[ecpemergencydoc]

Hi all,
I'm a beginning amateur with BYC, and I purchased 1 day old female chicks from a reputable online vendor that came highly recommended from some friends. I ordered 4 day old chicks, and received them in mid april, very surprised to find there were 5 chicks, not 4. I had only ordered 4 and only four were listed but I didn't think much of it (I had a coop for 4-6 layers so I wasn't worried). They are all Black australorps.

They are now 3 months old, growing well but I noticed that one looks *markedly* different than the others, bigger comb, redder, feathering looks about the same and no different behaviors but I'm suspicious. I took the best shots I could, they are posted here, I would love someone who has more than 13 weeks experience to help me out. I live in Montclair NJ, and owning a rooster is illegal by ordinance so its important I figure this out soon. Also, I really don't want fertilized eggs.


Thanks in advance!

-Eric

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

1 Cockerel. The one with the bright red comb.

Just curious, why don't you want fertilized eggs? They are just the same, only will develop into a chick if incubated.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

First pic is a cockerel. The rest are pullets.

 

[ecpemergencydoc]

1 Cockerel. The one with the bright red comb.

Just curious, why don't you want fertilized eggs? They are just the same, only will develop into a chick if incubated.

Good point. I guess I don’t have a problem with fertilized eggs as much as I have a problem with chicks not much of an issue. My bigger concern is when this thing starts to make noise and I get in trouble!

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Good point. I guess I don’t have a problem with fertilized eggs as much as I have a problem with chicks not much of an issue. My bigger concern is when this thing starts to make noise and I get in trouble!

There is such a thing as a no-crow collar. I've never used one, but people have had good results with them! You put it on their neck, and it muffles the sound somewhat. They can still crow, it's just nobody would notice it because it wouldn't be loud.