ChickieChickieMama
Songster
So after buying five sexed pullets and three bantam SR chicks from TSC 14 weeks ago, I now have two Golden Comet pullets, five cockerels and this darling black bantam Cochin who I can't figure out.
I also have another 17 younger pullets and one younger presumed cockerel who isn't crowing yet but looks clearly like a rooster.
Estelle was an adorable baby who loved to cuddle any chick or person or cat any time. However, she soon developed bright red wattles and a comb, which meant I held out on my denial for awhile before finally renaming her Prince a few weeks ago.
Now at 14 weeks though, my baby's comb is more rose coloured than red, and hasn't grown in size though is still large. He prefers the casual company of the other hens, though has been a little bossy with the younger pullets, which is exactly what the other hens have been doing while my roos have been protective of them. I don't see any pointed hackles or saddle feathers, though there is a curve in the tail. I think it's particularly difficult to tell with fluffy cochin feathers, but I have a standard cochin who is a very aggressive roo of the same age, and I see differences between them...but maybe I'm just still holding out hope because this chicken is my baby and comes running to me every day for cuddles. I know, another telltale cockerel sign.
Honestly, I had come to terms with him being a cockerel until this week when I witnessed "him" being the subject of two of my cockerels romantic advances, including especially that aggressive buff cochin, who is determined to have my poor Prince. Would multiple cockerels mount another cockerel??
Prince hasn't tried to crow yet, even though my other guys from that group started crowing around 7 weeks!! He is however very vocal, singing what sounds like the egg song and a lot of hen like boc bocking along with his recent Gorilla noises (which I think after researching it are ground alerts, in response to the attention he has been getting from my big cochin).
So, what do you think? Pullet or Roo??
I also have another 17 younger pullets and one younger presumed cockerel who isn't crowing yet but looks clearly like a rooster.
Estelle was an adorable baby who loved to cuddle any chick or person or cat any time. However, she soon developed bright red wattles and a comb, which meant I held out on my denial for awhile before finally renaming her Prince a few weeks ago.
Now at 14 weeks though, my baby's comb is more rose coloured than red, and hasn't grown in size though is still large. He prefers the casual company of the other hens, though has been a little bossy with the younger pullets, which is exactly what the other hens have been doing while my roos have been protective of them. I don't see any pointed hackles or saddle feathers, though there is a curve in the tail. I think it's particularly difficult to tell with fluffy cochin feathers, but I have a standard cochin who is a very aggressive roo of the same age, and I see differences between them...but maybe I'm just still holding out hope because this chicken is my baby and comes running to me every day for cuddles. I know, another telltale cockerel sign.
Honestly, I had come to terms with him being a cockerel until this week when I witnessed "him" being the subject of two of my cockerels romantic advances, including especially that aggressive buff cochin, who is determined to have my poor Prince. Would multiple cockerels mount another cockerel??
Prince hasn't tried to crow yet, even though my other guys from that group started crowing around 7 weeks!! He is however very vocal, singing what sounds like the egg song and a lot of hen like boc bocking along with his recent Gorilla noises (which I think after researching it are ground alerts, in response to the attention he has been getting from my big cochin).
So, what do you think? Pullet or Roo??
