Cockerel or Pullet? 15-17 weeks old

[alibra]

I think hen with identity crisis?

 

[Lynyrd66]

Acting a bit more like a rooster now that the other 2 roos are gone, but still not crowing or trying to jump on the chickens and is now about 18 weeks or so. Bossy hen or rooster? I think I am waiting for a crow or an egg!

 

[donrae]

I'm leaning toward rooster. Cochins are slower to mature, that could be why he's not being really in your face about being male. Agree it's kind of iffy though.

 

[Lynyrd66]

So, my original post was about a month ago. Still no crowing and still no eggs, but I think he is a rooster. He is starting to get more orange on the body, so I am thinking he may be mixed with buff orpington. His Pin feathers are getting shinier and it looks like he is developing saddle feathers. I am sad, because I was really hoping to be able to keep this one, but I only have 3 hens. I will try to add more pics soon

 

[Lynyrd66]

Guess who ripped out a few cock-a -doodle-doos today? this guy, that's who. Unfortunately that leaves me with only 3 hens --not enough for a rooster

 

[Lynyrd66]

Very cold today. We took the food out of their house last night. I put their medicine in some food that I added some warm water too and they gobbled it up. all 4 of them. Then I gave them their regular food back. this worked much, much easier than the bread. I can't know if they all got equal shares, but I put in some extra , since it doesn't look like it is very easy to over dose them. We will know when we do the next fecal test I guess. ALSO, they all let me pet them for a little bit before they scooted away, and I didn't get pecked. I got to feel Monkey's crop and it felt fine. They are all acting healthy, and roosting, holding their wings up, etc. Hopefully this will take care of it?

 

[donrae]

You might just wait and see how things go with your young man. It looks from the pics you're able to free range some, that helps with the ratio quite a bit imo. Plus, cochins are just known for being more gentle than your regular dual purpose breeds. I'm not one who usually encourages keeping a rooster, or with just a few hens, but in this case I'd sure try it and see how things go. You'll just need to keep an eye on the hens for signs of overmating or stress, at that point he'd have to go.

Or. *enabler alert* get more hens

 

[Lynyrd66]

Who would have thought the goofy little runty chick with the feathers on its feet would grow into such a handsome rooster?!?

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I think you should be fine with one roo to three hens. He turned out to be beautiful!

 

[Lynyrd66]

Thank you