Could she be a he?

[whistlin dixie]

I bought 6 baby chicks from the country store. Two are New Hampshire Reds. Out of all 6 chicks one is different. This New hamshire has a red comb thingy in the top of his head and under it's chin, the other New hampshire doesnt have this, they are the same age. There is no crowing but I was wondering if this could be a rooster? This one also likes to stand off with the other chickens and bob his head back and forth (all cocky like) Without the crow is there any way I can know for sure? I think they are about 10 or so weeks.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

I think you have a roo there. Boys have much redder combs then the girls, girls have more of yellow, smaller comb and usually hardly any sign of wattles- the red thingies on his chin. He's still a little young to be crowing. I don't think they really start until about 16 weeks...or that's about the time I remember any of mine starting

 

[ella]

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't rule out it being a hen just yet.

I started with 25 sexed pullets, expecting one or two to be boys. I watched them like a hawk for 5 months, waiting to see which would be my roosters. There were two that I thought for sure were boys, one with pointy tail feathers and one with a bright red BIG floppy comb. I even had people come over and say 'oh that one's a boy for sure!'

Yeah- not quite, they both layed eggs, and have been doing so for the last 4 years!

Moral of the story is: unless you've raised chicks for many years you can't be sure if they are boys or girls until they either lay an egg... or don't!

 

[Julie R]

I have a he/she question abouton of my chickens. I was told by the seller that if I hold them upside down by the feet-if the curl up they are boys if they straighted out and just hang there they were girls I have since given up on this method - I think all it does is gives the chicks a headrush!! my chicks are around 7-8 weeks now and I have one that is bigger than the other two, has thicker legs, and a nice red comb and the start to alot of red on face and " chin " I know it is hard to tell male from female but I was wondering when do roosters get the spurs on thier legs?
as you can tell I am first time chicken mom and first time duck mom !!

 

[MTchick]

I have to say that I've been fearing that my hens would turn into roosters ever since I brought them home at 4 days old. In particular, one of my barred rocks is bigger, more sociable, and redder in the face and comb than the other barred rock. But ever since my white crested polish rooster grew extravagant wattles and became aggressive at 5 weeks old, I haven't questioned the barred rock! She is now 11 weeks old, still red in the face, still very plump, but never-the-less I think she is just an overachieving hen. And the darn rooster refuses to crow...

Rooster:

Big fluffy hen:

-MTchick

 

[ella]

Love that crazy Polish hairdo!

The young roosters will start to crow before you see any noticeable spur growth.