cockerel behaviors

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

I have many breeds of chicks, now 5-5-1/2 weeks old. I'm thinking I may be a little cockerel heavy but since so many breeds and my very first time with chicks, I'm not so sure how to identify by the combs. When chicks do the stand off with the head bobbing, is this strictly male behavior or will pullets do this too to determine pecking order? I also have chicks that hop up and down while staring at each other (this is a hoot).

 

[Fred's Hens]

Common behavior of all chicks at that age.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Edit: the cockerels combs are usually turning red, and most of the time pullets are still a bit yellow at that stage.

X2 on Fred's Hens.

 

[featherfriendlyinIowa52]

Thanks with a big "whew!" Although, I still see quite a few combs developing and the red deepening. On one hand, it's a good thing as I got carried away with incubating and ordering chicks...on the other hand, some of my favorites I'm pretty sure are roosters and will have to go...so sad.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

You can share pictures, just in case.

(I also had the problem of my favorites, turning into roosters)

 

[Brookliner]

The sure way to tell is when they start to crow.

 

[devora]

Yup, post some pix. Folks here are wizards at identifying boys and girls.

I completely suck at it and have to wait until they crow.

 

[RedDrgn]

Our girls were little feather fluffin', chest bumpin' posers between about 3 weeks and 8 weeks. They settled significantly after that. All were pullets. It's just the sorting of the pecking order and our EE was the biggest instigator!

As others said, though, if you can post some photos people may be able to give you a pretty good idea of what you've got.

 

[Smithyard Farm]

I too think I have a rooster - we bought 2 brown leghorns in a straight run and i think i have one of each. this is a picture of "Sam"... "Ella's" comb is like the white leghorn behind him. I almost don't need you to tell me.. but.... what are your thoughts?? they are 7 or eight weeks old

 

[Zchicks]

I too think I have a rooster - we bought 2 brown leghorns in a straight run and i think i have one of each. this is a picture of "Sam"... "Ella's" comb is like the white leghorn behind him. I almost don't need you to tell me.. but.... what are your thoughts?? they are 7 or eight weeks old

Looks like a rooster comb to me. Having chicks all the same age helps for comparing. If the wattles srout in the next week or so too it's a boy.