Can she be a he? A Roo vs. Pullet Question!

[twincreekfarm]

We have 12 pullets (6 Araucana and 6 RIR) and a RIR Roo. However, when i went to the coop to wake them up, I heard a crow (they're all almost 13 weeks), as i went to praise the Roo . . .an Araucana pullet crowed! I was shocked. She is the most dominant of our Arucanas and she has the most pronounced comb of all the Araucanas, could the hatchery made a mistake? Is she really a he? She is a bit aggressive, not really mean but pecks at the others from time to time and she and the Roo have butted chests. I know I have read on here that pullets will crow from time to time. I'll post her picture . . .can anyone telll me for sure?

Her(his?) isn't that prom in this pic, but its really red and bigger than all the others, in fact the others haven't even started growing yet.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

It does look like a young pullet...Hens can and do crow...

 

[Windy Ridge]

Hens do crow, but that usually only happens when a rooster isn't around; one hen takes the rooster's role within the flock. Still, for 13 weeks, that's an awfully large comb for a pea comb. My Ameraucana girls' combs aren't that large at almost 20 weeks. Hatcheries sometimes do make mistakes, but it's fairly rare.

Very interesting problem you posed us, Twincreek!

 

[LynnGrigg]

I wouldn't think this bird has roo coloring. I think it's a she.

 

[chickengirlnm]

Well I know that hatcheries do make mistakes - I ordered 5 Black Dutch pullets and of the 5 I got 4 roo's. so I know it happens sometimes.I am no expert on the question of he v she, hope someone here can help you.

 

[Windy Ridge]

What shape are the hackle feathers? They're so dark, I can't tell if they're round or pointy.

 

[HenHaven]

Based on the facts you gave, it looks like the hatchery may have made a mistake. If this one stands out in appearance, with a larger redder comb than the other 5, has sparred with the head roo, and has CROWED, I would think you may just have yourself a ROO!

It is not easy to sex pea-combed birds. When I hatched Ameraucanas, I used the "bigger, redder, comb" criteria to sort mine. Some were obvious early on, but others were 12 weeks old before I could venture an educated guess.

My first "girls" were 7 feedstore chicks. I got one roo out of 7 "pullets"--so I know firsthand that it is not all that uncommon!

 

[hinkjc]

I agree with Lynn. I think you have a boy there. It doesn't look all that female to me. The comb is too thick and red for 13 weeks. The red in the wing bars are a sign of roo. And if I had a better picture of that bird standing up, I'm sure I could point out other features.

I also agree that hens can crow (in the absence of a rooster), but I don't think that is the case you have here.

Jody

 

[Wynette]

I'm still a newbie (got my 7 chicks on 5/02), but I can definitely attest that hatcheries can and do make mistakes! I paid for...in the "fine print," it stated a 93% chance of them all being pullets. My husband says Murphy lives with us, and I think he's right - we got a roo and 6 pullets.

 

[twincreekfarm]

We have a roo, a big one. He is a RIR roo though. This bird seems to be the same size as all the other pullets . . .just the comb is different. I'll see if I am able to post some other pics of them. She/he crows in the morning and does do the bok bok thing too at times. Our Roo just doesn't seem to know he is a boy yet!! They all are doing the thing where they pluck feathers from each other, like the soft under ones and eating them . . .whats that about? Thanks to everyone who responded to my post . . .I appreciate hearing what you all have to say.

The Roo (The Colonel)

Some of the girls

Turkey standing - sorta