Could they be roosters?

[Nikolai]

We have 6 young chicks still indoors and two of them have little bumps/spikes where a spur might later be. They are also the biggest, strongest and most aggressive of our flock. How do we tell?

We have young children and the chicks will be co-habitating with our rabbits. I know it is very general question but my assumption is that roosters make poor pets and do not mix well with young children.

Any suggestions on where we can find more information or advice?

Thanks,
Nikolai

 

[Southern28Chick]

How old are the chicks? You should see wattles and a red comb before you see any spurs. Can you post pictures?

 

[speckledhen]

My 18 week old cockerels are just now beginning to grow their spurs, but I knew they were boys by 3 weeks old. Look at the legs-are they really long and thicker than the other chicks? That's another way I can usually tell the boys.

 

[nu2chixinmo]

I am not sure about the roos being poor pets for children. I have a daughter that is 10 now, and my 2 Barred Rock roos love her to pieces!!!!!!! One, Stripers is a littel onry, But Dot the other is very very friendly. Dot Loves Alley, my daughter. He always hops on her lap when she is in there, loves to be stroked also. We also have a Cornish cross Roo that is HUGE, even only at 13 weeks. He loves my daughter also, but is too big to jump on her lap

Some of my pullets even try to act very aggressive, So i guess it just depends on how you handle them.

 

[Sunflower]

My 8 week old roo is the sweetest of ALL our chickens. He got the comb and wattles first before the other chicks. He is our favorite chicken and the focus of all our pictures b/c he is such a pretty boy. "Athens" loves to be held and cuddled and gets jealous when we hold the other chickens, but doesn't act on it.
We also have two other younger bantam roos that are also the most gentle of all our chickens. They are the easiest to catch and follow us around the yard.
Our meanest chickens are two barred rock hens that are only about 7 weeks old. And by mean, I don't want to say they are aggressive at all, just grumper than the rest, more curious and eager to eat anything - sometimes thinking our fingers are little morsels for them. Ouch!!

They also pick on the bantams more than the other chickens ever did.