Dominique gender?

[Alexandra33]

Handsome cockerel.

~Alex

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Cockerel

 

[drumstick diva]

cockerel

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Cockerel. You can tell from the size and color of the wattles and comb, as well as the coloring of his plumage. He's double barred, as all males should be, which gives him a lighter appearance then his single barred sisters who will appear darker. This pic is of barred rocks, but the technique applies.

 

[ColtHandorf]

Agreed. The bird in question is a young cockerel. And Frazzemrat1 did an amazing job of showing the difference in plumage on barred (or cuckoo) breeds when looking at the sexes.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Wow, I didn't know there was such a difference between male and female. Thanks Frazzermrat1! Also, since I now know that I have a cockerel, what do you think is the time it will take for him to be dominant in the flock? I haven't showed the four chicks to my four adult hens yet, but I plan to within the next week or so. (Currently my RIR hen is boss).

 

[Chickassan]

Lol! You're looking at six months easily especially if he has to impress a RIR.
One more sexing trick if you want it. Females hatch with a dark wash on their legs.

This is Dutch, notice the black overlay on her legs? That will fade with age and they'll just be yellow but it is a female trait. Male legs start yellow, if there is black it is a tiny amount.

Wow, I didn't know there was such a difference between male and female. Thanks Frazzermrat1! Also, since I now know that I have a cockerel, what do you think is the time it will take for him to be dominant in the flock? I haven't showed the four chicks to my four adult hens yet, but I plan to within the next week or so. (Currently my RIR hen is boss).

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Thanks everybody! I think I'll make a separate thread for the other three as well, just to make sure. They haven't developed like this one yet, so probably pullets (they're supposed to be anyway, but just in case). Chickassan, yeah, she keeps the whole flock in order and protects the other chickens (from me a lot unfortunately) just like a rooster would it seems.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Sorry to bother you again, but my mom has had bad experience with roosters as a kid (hyper aggressive, chasing her around) and doesn't want that to happen again. Do you have any advice as to how to start him off well early? Can I raise him to be a gentleman?
Thanks.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Sorry to bother you again, but my mom has had bad experience with roosters as a kid (hyper aggressive, chasing her around) and doesn't want that to happen again. Do you have any advice as to how to start him off well early? Can I raise him to be a gentleman?
Thanks.

Sounds strange, but get him into the flock as early as you possibly can. Preferably while he's still small, like 8 weeks old or so. He'll learn a lot from the rest of the flock and they'll keep him in line.... However, since your RIR 'protects' the flock from you, he'll pick up the same traits. Start making friends with her quick... I suggest meal worms and kitchen scraps, and make a call when you want them to come to you for treats. I yell out 'Chickie Chickie Chickie!!" and my girls come running, even though they aren't lap girls. They know I have something good. And they go nuts for the meal worms.