Cockerel or pullet?

[jennaveewhit]

I posted a few weeks ago about my chicks and got some solid answers but I just want to make sure because we have to get rid of the roosters. Here are the 2 chicks now. One is 8 weeks today and one is a few days older. Still thinking they are cockerels? Also, I’m wondering if I cannot find someone to take the males and need to cull them what is the best timeframe for that? I’m thinking if I have to cull them I would like to eat them so their lives are not “wasted”.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

They look like cockerels to me if they're 8 weeks old.

 

[swamphiker]

I agree with @Lemon-Drop, they look to be cockerels

 

[Ebony Rose]

They appear to be cockerels to me as well. If your family eats meat, I suggest processing them for the dinner table a few weeks after they start crowing. If you have nearby neighbors that might be upset with the crowing (attempts), you might give them notice that you're aware that you cannot keep the cockerels and beg their indulgence for that amount of time to allow the bird to put on a bit of weight. MOST neighbors will allow this and be thankful that you care enough about their needs to consult with them about the 'problem'. Knowing that the crowing won't be ongoing often smooths any feathers that might have been ruffled otherwise.

 

[jennaveewhit]

They appear to be cockerels to me as well. If your family eats meat, I suggest processing them for the dinner table a few weeks after they start crowing. If you have nearby neighbors that might be upset with the crowing (attempts), you might give them notice that you're aware that you cannot keep the cockerels and beg their indulgence for that amount of time to allow the bird to put on a bit of weight. MOST neighbors will allow this and be thankful that you care enough about their needs to consult with them about the 'problem'. Knowing that the crowing won't be ongoing often smooths any feathers that might have been ruffled otherwise.

Thank you for this advice! I think we will do that. A few more questions on the topic if that’s okay. At what age do they usually begin to crow? Since I have 6 hens should I separate the boys from the girls or will they be fine together until we process them? They are starting to spar a bit but nothing to violent. They have the run of my backyard so I think the space helps. Thanks again for the tips!

 

[CatLoverLu]

Both cockerals

 

[jennaveewhit]

They appear to be cockerels to me as well. If your family eats meat, I suggest processing them for the dinner table a few weeks after they start crowing. If you have nearby neighbors that might be upset with the crowing (attempts), you might give them notice that you're aware that you cannot keep the cockerels and beg their indulgence for that amount of time to allow the bird to put on a bit of weight. MOST neighbors will allow this and be thankful that you care enough about their needs to consult with them about the 'problem'. Knowing that the crowing won't be ongoing often smooths any feathers that might have been ruffled otherwise.

Also, I like your puns! Solid work

 

[Ebony Rose]

Different breeds have different timetables as far as 'when'. Keeping your girls with your boys will be fine; you'll KNOW for sure when it's time to process those boys as they'll start persistently mounting your pullets. That's the perfect age to process those dudes