Do I have a rooster?

[Dmm9979]

Hello, we are first time chicken owners and now have 3 barred rock and australorp chickens that are about 4 and a half months old.

One or two of them occasionally make a groaning noise. Someone told us that the noise could mean they are a rooster and that is the noise they make before learning to crow. Is this true? I just thought it was a sound they made from time to time.

How do we tell if we have a rooster at this stage?

Thanks!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, we are first time chicken owners and now have 3 barred rock and australorp chickens that are about 4 and a half months old.

One or two of them occasionally make a groaning noise. Someone told us that the noise could mean they are a rooster and that is the noise they make before learning to crow. Is this true? I just thought it was a sound they made from time to time.

How do we tell if we have a rooster at this stage?

Thanks!

At that age they will have gender specific plumage.
Please post full body side view pictures of your suspects.

 

[slordaz]

Hello, we are first time chicken owners and now have 3 barred rock and australorp chickens that are about 4 and a half months old.

One or two of them occasionally make a groaning noise. Someone told us that the noise could mean they are a rooster and that is the noise they make before learning to crow. Is this true? I just thought it was a sound they made from time to time.

How do we tell if we have a rooster at this stage?

Thanks!

Welcome to BYC, not sure if you can or not, if you need to have certain amount of posts introducing yourt self besides replies here should count, coffee wore off sorry.

full body picture if you need help, as plumage and combs will be best indicator, I have had ones I thought they were roosters actually turn out to be more of an alpha hen. she was trying to act just like the cockerels but couldn't tell other than the plumage, had an Ameracuana it was still up in the air until we finally got an egg 9 months later due to her acting more like a rooster,

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree, post a few pictures if you can. There are lots of people on here who can help with sexing your chickens

 

[chrissynemetz]

Oh, and welcome to BYC! We're glad to have you join us!!

 

[aart]

Hello, we are first time chicken owners and now have 3 barred rock and australorp chickens that are about 4 and a half months old.

One or two of them occasionally make a groaning noise. Someone told us that the noise could mean they are a rooster and that is the noise they make before learning to crow. Is this true? I just thought it was a sound they made from time to time.

How do we tell if we have a rooster at this stage?

Thanks!

Eh...not likely.
At 4 months cockerels would be crowing.
With those breeds, cockerels would have been pretty apparent at about 6 weeks old,
showing bigger and redder combs and wattles.

At that age they will have gender specific plumage.
Please post full body side view pictures of your suspects.

This^^^ please.

Oh, and..Welcome to BYC! @Dmm9979
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[Dmm9979]

Here are the 3

 

[Dmm9979]

Here are the 3

 

[Frazzemrat1]

All pullets

 

[Mboltz12]

Definitely all hens