Cockerel or Pullet?

[agarlits]

Hey friends,

I need a little help from the experts here. My birds are just a shade over 10 weeks old now (we got them March 24th). I have one Colombian cross that has much darker comb and wattle than the other 3, the bird in question has also solidified themselves as the leader of the flock. Yesterday this bird led the girls into a heavily overgrown easement. When I went to chase them back into our yard, this bird got between me and the rest of the flock and wouldn’t move even with stern nudges from my foot. Just kept coming back and standing its ground.

Here what led me to ask the question tonight. My flock just got payed a visit from a neighborhood cat. We have 4 smaller/younger (2 weeks) silver laced wyndottes that we raised separately and introduced about a month ago. The cat came after one of the wyndottes and this bird chased rushed the cat, pecked it and chased it off.

I feel like that’s pretty clear cut cockerel behavior for a 10-11 week old bird. But I’m still not sure, and I don’t know if the behavior alone is enough to solidify it. I’ve attached some pictures here for reference.

Thanks for the help!

- Aaron

 

[redinator]

In the picture with the three chicks under the tree . . . I believe I see two cockerels, the two on the sides. I'm no expert though, so wait for others to weigh in.

I also know you didn't ask this, but I'd be wary of a cockerel keeping me from the flock. They shouldn't see you as a threat, it can lead to problems later on. Again, let others chime in as I'm still new at raising chickens.

Edited typos

 

[agarlits]

In the picture with the three chicks under the tree . . . I believe I see two cockerels, the two on the sides. I'm no expert though, so wait for others to weigh in.

I also know you didn't ask this, but I'd be wary of a cockerel keeping me from the flock. They shouldn't see you as a threat, it can lead to problems later on. Again, let others chime in as I'm still new at raising chickens.

Edited typos

Thank you for the feedback. I’m curious about that one too, but he (if it’s a he) hasn’t shown any change in behavior yet so I’m just letting it be. If this bird turns out to be a problem, I’ll cull him. Especially if I have another rooster that isn’t as rambunctious.

 

[redinator]

Thank you for the feedback. I’m curious about that one too, but he (if it’s a he) hasn’t shown any change in behavior yet so I’m just letting it be. If this bird turns out to be a problem, I’ll cull him. Especially if I have another rooster that isn’t as rambunctious.

It could also be that he was extra vigilant if the neighbor's cat was wandering around at the time, but I'd keep an eye on the behavior.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

I think they’re all pullets honestly. One may be taking on a more masculine role in absence of a male

 

[C Siena]

We had a bantam silkie hen who charged a cat and ran it off. A Columbian Rock hen ran away and it took me an hour to retrieve her (to go back to her eggs).
We also have an ISA hen, who will charge our 2.5 year old Belgian Malinois. Hens can be strong.

 

[agarlits]

I think they’re all pullets honestly. One may be taking on a more masculine role in absence of a male

Thank you for the input, I had considered this as well but I just don't have enough experience with their behavior to be sure. Especially at this "transitional" age. A lot of my neighbors also have chickens, and two have roosters. But their flocks are much older so it's hard to compare behavior.

 

[agarlits]

We had a bantam silkie hen who charged a cat and ran it off. A Columbian Rock hen ran away and it took me an hour to retrieve her (to go back to her eggs).
We also have an ISA hen, who will charge our 2.5 year old Belgian Malinois. Hens can be strong.

That helps a lot, thank you!