- May 22, 2018
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Hello everyone!
Though up to this point I have thought her to be a female, I have a 17 week old Blue Americauna that I would love some help with sexing as “she” has been crowing. Could “she” be a late blooming Roo?
A little background here though - I originally had 4 chicks. The Blue was best buddies with one that very early on was determined to be a rooster. I rehomed the rooster and soon after (within 1 week) the Blue began crowing. She does not crow every day, nor at a particular time of day. Crow sounds muffled and not as distinct or high pitch as her young brother’s was. Given her age, she has not began producing eggs yet so I am aware I may just need to wait and find out.
I have read conflicting things on this.
1. The “head hen” may take on the role of a rooster without one present or after one has left - which she is, the head hen.
2. Hens (though rarely) can crow
3. Americaunas have a pea comb, but sometimes females can have a wider pea comb so the comb cannot be the only reliable visual clue. Their comb will get more red as the mature and become close to laying. Her comb just started becoming a darker pink within the last 2-3 weeks, but is definitely not red. Her brother’s comb was a prominent bright red very early on, around 6 weeks.
4. A roosters legs will be visibly larger and thicker than a hens legs. - my Blue appears to have very similar size/circumference to the other hens of the same age.
Thanks for your help! I’ve attached current photos at 17 weeks old.
Note* the black EE in the pictures is 8 weeks younger than the others, so visibly smaller.
Though up to this point I have thought her to be a female, I have a 17 week old Blue Americauna that I would love some help with sexing as “she” has been crowing. Could “she” be a late blooming Roo?
A little background here though - I originally had 4 chicks. The Blue was best buddies with one that very early on was determined to be a rooster. I rehomed the rooster and soon after (within 1 week) the Blue began crowing. She does not crow every day, nor at a particular time of day. Crow sounds muffled and not as distinct or high pitch as her young brother’s was. Given her age, she has not began producing eggs yet so I am aware I may just need to wait and find out.
I have read conflicting things on this.
1. The “head hen” may take on the role of a rooster without one present or after one has left - which she is, the head hen.
2. Hens (though rarely) can crow
3. Americaunas have a pea comb, but sometimes females can have a wider pea comb so the comb cannot be the only reliable visual clue. Their comb will get more red as the mature and become close to laying. Her comb just started becoming a darker pink within the last 2-3 weeks, but is definitely not red. Her brother’s comb was a prominent bright red very early on, around 6 weeks.
4. A roosters legs will be visibly larger and thicker than a hens legs. - my Blue appears to have very similar size/circumference to the other hens of the same age.
Thanks for your help! I’ve attached current photos at 17 weeks old.
Note* the black EE in the pictures is 8 weeks younger than the others, so visibly smaller.
thank you!
