Chickens and roosters

[judge]

hello- I am new to chickens and I have a few questions. How do I tell if I have roosters or hens? They are about 3 1/2mo old. They all look pretty much the same, but I know one for sure is rooster because I heard one of the crowing. Also- I do not want to breed them, so do I need to remove the rooster(s) from the rest of the flock? Thanks!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

What breed do you have? How a rooster looks really depends on the breed. Generally, the first sign of a rooster is a larger, redder comb and wattles compared to the other chickens. They will also get pointy saddle feathers (growing on the back at base of tail) and also pointy hackle feathers around the neck. Pullets and hens will have rounded feathers in these areas. You might try looking at pictures of your breed to see what the differences are. There is a breed section on BYC or you can do a general search.

If you keep a rooster with your flock, he will eventually breed with the hens. You can still collect and eat eggs if you don't wish to hatch out chicks.


Almost forgot to say

!!!!

 

[chookhead]

pictures would help alot

 

[judge]

We have 6 New Hampshire's and 6 Buff Orphingtons (I think!) I will take pictures soon, and hopefully that will help. Thanks!!

 

[goldfinches]

Did you hatch them out? Buy them somewhere straight run?

You can have a rooster without hatching chicks. Fertile eggs are just regular eggs with a bulls-eye until you incubate them. Some people actually prefer them.

Post pics

 

[judge]

 

[akcountrygrrl]

I see red sex links and production reds in these photos.

Rooster (production red) and pullet (red sex link)Center is a rooster (production red), pullet to his left (red sex link)Pullet front/center (red sex link), rooster in front of herRooster (production red) and pullet's tailPullet (red sex link)Pullet (red sex link), rooster in the back (production red)

P

 

[fuzziecreatures]

1 - rooster, hen
2 - rooster and fluffy butts
3 - red sex link hen
4 - rooster
5 - red sex link hen
6 - red sex link hen

 

[judge]

Here are some pictures of our chickens. The big one with the big tail I think is a rooster?? The other ones show some more of the NewHampshires, and some of the Buff Orringtons. Supposedly those are the only two brands we have, but I am not so sure. The white flecked Orrington is really different than all the rest, and someone said it is a Red Sexlink/Star. What is that, and how did I end up with so many breeds?! What a learning experience

 

[judge]

Thank you so much for the information I have no idea what Production Red means, but I see I have some research to do. Again, thanks so much!!