Dumb question

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
In the top picture here, I think it's a rooster.

The middle picture looks like a pullet so far.

 

[Patoot]

Thanks for more pics. I took tons of pics this morning with my camera, but I have to download them and I'll try to post them at lunch when I go home to visit the girls (well, I hope girls). I looked at their feet and I saw no evidence of spurs or thick legs. I looked at the tail feathers coming in and the ones already in on the other bigger bird and both have a few green/black feathers in the middle, but the outer feathers are definitely brown.

Also, I have seen people say their hen was squatting. What does that mean? Does that mean in the nest box? I have seen both of the larger girls squat down in the grass and it almost looked like they good lay an egg, but I have never had chickens before so I have no idea if this is usual or not. They mostly do it in the tall grass and then they nibble at the tips of the grass while they lay there. This seems to be different behavior than when they dig a hole in the dirt and they all lay in there, but honestly, I have no clue.

Anyway, I will post the new pics later and hopefully you guys can give me a more definitive idea. I took pics from above looking down at the hackles and saddle feathers, side shots, and a kinda butt shot. Hopefully that will help.

Since I don't really know how old they are, can you help me guess? The guy just said they were pullets who should be laying by the end of September.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

Bree

 

[gryeyes]

"Squatting" and "the squat" refers to submissive behavior, and occurs when you go to pet, pat, or otherwise touch the pullet/hen, and she squats, spreads her wings out a slight bit with the tips tucked under her - somewhat like shrugging her shoulders, and tucks her head. It shows she's submissive and ready to be mounted (by a rooster). When they do it for people, that means they're showing their submissiveness to that person. It starts around the time the pullet is getting ready to lay, because it is sexual behavior related pose.

I feel honored when they do it for me.

 

[Patoot]

Oh I see. I wasn't sure what it meant. Thanks. I'll watch for that. Right now, none of them let me touch them yet. Two just started taking food from my hands though so we're making progress.

I just called the guy I got them from and he said that they weren't all the same age and he's sure they are pullets. He was very confident, but said that if they ended up crowing, to let him know and he would replace them. I don't want to replace them. I like the ones I have...I just want them to be girls.

Anyway, he said he's been doing this a long time and some just have redder combs than others and he is sure they are pullets. Okay.

I'll still post pics for you though.

Bree

 

[sfw2]

By this time, if you had a rooster, he'd be crowing. I could tell early on who my RIR roos were.

Keep us posted!

 

[WhetzelMomma]

Sounds like your guy is good! I got pullets from a great guy who would have replaced any pullets that were roosters, but didn't have to take him up on it. If your guy has had a lot of RIR, then I'd bet he's pretty good at "sexing" by sight!

 

[Patoot]

Okay, here are some pics of the 2 bigger girls.

And here are the littler girls.

So, what do you think?

Thanks again.

Bree

 

[WhetzelMomma]

I vote girls.

 

[Patoot]

I hope you're right!

Anyone else think girls?

Bree

 

[Gallina Vecchia]

I say girls!