Do we have a rooster on our hands?

[TheRebRanch]

We have three RIR's and not sure if one is a rooster or not.. help is greatly appreciated in determining if we just have three hens or a male too.

Thank you.

 

[familyfarm1]

It looks like you might

a better look at the saddle feathers would help.

 

[TheRebRanch]

I will try and get another picture.. where about are the sadle feathers? Neck area?

 

[ChookRanger]

I am going to say "yes, it looks like a rooster to me." The comb and wattles plus the legs all make it look like a rooster

 

[BantamLover21]

The one with the larger comb looks like a cockerel.

 

[ChookRanger]

Saddle feathers are on the back, in front of the tail, Imagine a tiny person riding the chicken!

Hackle feathers are on the neck. I don't think those come in until a cockerel becomes a rooster. There is a thread about it here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...nderstand-hackle-feathers-and-saddle-feathers

 

[TheRebRanch]

Chook,

I have attached a few more pictures of who we think is "Roscoe the Rooster" Let me know what you think. I tried to get better pictures of its feathers. These RIR's are about 10 weeks old or so.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The well developed and reddening comb and wattles coupled with the dark, shiny patch pattern of his plumage all point right square at cockerel, sorry.

 

[TheRebRanch]

Darn,

I am not quite certain we can have roosters where we are in the county but I have thought about keeping him a while until we hatched some chicks.

 

[ChookRanger]

The well developed and reddening comb and wattles coupled with the dark, shiny patch pattern of his plumage all point right square at cockerel, sorry.

x2 I agree 100%. Another indicator is the pointiness of his tail feathers. He looks like a very nice bird and if you need to rehome him it will be a few weeks before he starts waking up the neighbors.