Confirming I have a Roo

[ThePalmerHenhouse]

Hi All,

I am new at keeping chickens. We've had our first pair of chickens 10 weeks ago now, with hope that they would end up being hens as they were unsexed when we go them. I had been watching their shape and feathers looking for hints I've red on the forums, and was still unconvinced until today. Alas, we heard a crow this morning (from the black one.) I just wanted to confirm that it is in fact a rooster before planning the next steps. We don't really want to keep a rooster because of the aforementioned crowing and our neighbors. Google gave me a glimmer of hope that particularly aggressive hens can occasionally crow, and since this one has been particularly pushy to the other chickens, I have stayed in a state of denial all day. Please help me come to grips with reality. Sending a photo of the other chicken as well so y'all can tell me if I went 0-2 on my first set of chickens. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

He’s 100% a cockerel

 

[CabritaChicks]

I totally get the pain and denial—count me in for a support group. One of my ridiculously sweet, snuggly Easter hatchlings with fuzzy slippers is now looking like this:

No crows yet, but mine’s younger than yours (I think it is like 6.5 weeks). I'm no expert, but if I had to bet, I'd put serious money on yours being a roo (and I’ll be over here in the denial corner wearing my dunce cap in solidarity).

I was told to wait till 9 weeks and if I saw large waddles and heard a crow: That would seal the deal. So I think I am also playing tone deaf in the near future... 'what that hubby?! nope, I dont hear a rooster?'

 

[WingItRanch]

I agree he is a handsome cockerel.

@CabritaChicks just a heads up that my first cockerel didn't crow until over 6 months old.