Cockerel amongst my pullets

[junebuggena]

She is definitely a girl. A Barred Rock male has a much lighter color than a pullet, because the male carries two barred genes and female carries one. And the comb is only pink, not red.

x2
But it's not a Barred Rock. That looks like a Cuckoo Marans.

 

[davef72]

@junebuggena I wish it was a cuckoo maran. I bought two Barred Rocks

 

[junebuggena]

@junebuggena I wish it was a cuckoo maran. I bought two Barred Rocks

She has white/pink skin not yellow. That means she's Marans.

 

[davef72]

@junebuggena I hope you're correct, and the lady I purchased them from made a mistake. We wanted Marans, but she only had pullets, and we wanted chicks. This would be a pleasant surprise.

 

[azygous]

I have a Cuckoo Marans, and it looks pretty much like you do have a female. It's hard to see her comb, but it looks pretty light in color.

Marans have an unmistakable white leg color and the boys are much lighter grey than your girl.

You should go buy a lottery ticket. You batted 1000 this batch of chicks.

 

[junebuggena]

Cuckoo Marans don't typically lay the dark brown eggs that are the trademark of the breed, though.

 

[davef72]

@azygous so do you agree with @junebuggena ?

Is it a Maran or a Rock?

 

[azygous]

If the legs are white, not yellow, you have a Cuckoo Marans. The barring on Barred Rocks is much more even and defined than the Cuckoo Marans. Go look up a picture of a Barred Rock and you'll see it's different from what you have.

 

[kootenayhen]

Just wanted to add that my rooster has large spurs and loves my hens, is gentle and protects them, he escorts them and finds food for them....watch his interaction is is quite remarkable...my sons are 9 and 12 and have interacted with him for years....they give him rooster cuddles and he loves it.....I would encourage hand feeding to keep him gentle....try to keep him if you can.
just my 2 cents....for the sake of all roosters out there!

 

[Rip Canon]

Hello from NE Florida,

I was in the exact same position, I ordered only pullets, but as the world is, one was a rooster.

We ordered 9, 3 Golden Laced Wyandottes, 3 Black Austrolorps and 3 Buff Orpingtons.

We are very glad the world laughed at our plans, the Rooster is very attentive to the hens, he watches the sky for hawks, runs and herds the group for cover when necessary, and decides when the free range day is over and leads the hens up into the secure coop every day as we shut them in safely in afternoon/evening. ( we have coyotes, raccoons,bobcats you name it )

Bottom line, my wife and two sons aged 5 and 12....they help, and in another month they will be collecting eggs as a weekly allowance requirement.

Don't fear the rooster, no matter how uppity he gets, you are 180 lbs, he is 6. If you diligently collect the eggs every day it won't matter if he gets it on with the girls, no difference.

However, my 5 year old says frequently he wants to be a "scientist" so for the sake of science, experimentation and the fun of life, if a hen does get broody or clearly tries to hatch this spring...we are going to let it happen. He is a big 'ole Buff Orpington Roo and who knows which or what chicks he may produce with a girlfriend(s).

You are in control, I have even told "Prince" that if he gets too bad, pecks me too much or becomes more than beauty and fun.....off with his head! into the pot! ( I think he knows this and backs down after showing off to the ladies )

For now he is safe in his world, he loves and protects his hens and we do too!

Rip in Ponte Vedra, FL