Easter egger/ameraucana sex

[Montgomery_Biscuits]

Alright, this one will be 8 weeks this weekend. Sold as an ameraucana, probably an Easter egger. The comb got real red over night, I think rooster by the husband is not convinced. What do you think? Too early to tell?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Easter egger cockerel

 

[chrissynemetz]

Sorry but I agree, I believe it's an Easter Egger cockerel

 

[Frazzemrat1]

definitely an easter egger, and definitely a cockerel. The plumage coloring alone says cockerel, let alone the comb.

 

[Montgomery_Biscuits]

What age do you think he might start getting aggressive with the girls? He's already running after the others and kinda "bluff charging" them, but they all do that to some extent this one just more so. I'd like to keep him but he's already kind of a jerk and I'm wondering if it's going to get worse...

 

[Frazzemrat1]

What age do you think he might start getting aggressive with the girls? He's already running after the others and kinda "bluff charging" them, but they all do that to some extent this one just more so. I'd like to keep him but he's already kind of a jerk and I'm wondering if it's going to get worse...

Well, that's the thing... he SHOULDN"T get aggressive with the girls, or humans... Do you have older hens, or is this your only flock? If you do, I'd put him in with them now, and let them teach him manners.
A bad cockerel/rooster will demand, not ask. I watched my old rooster ask to mount my hen, and when she didn't squat to let him, he walked away.

 

[Montgomery_Biscuits]

Well, that's the thing... he SHOULDN"T get aggressive with the girls, or humans... Do you have older hens, or is this your only flock? If you do, I'd put him in with them now, and let them teach him manners.
A bad cockerel/rooster will demand, not ask. I watched my old rooster ask to mount my hen, and when she didn't squat to let him, he walked away.

Oh well that's good to know! This is our first flock and they're all the same aged and have been raised together from week 1. This is the only one who's displaying strong signs of roosterdom but I guess there's still time for the others...

He's a very bossy chick, like if the others wander too far away he'll run to corral them back. And lots of those weird feet first flying jumps right into their faces. Since I'm new to chickens I don't know if that's normal or not. To me it looks like he's kind of a bully but maybe that's just roos? He's too scared of my husband and I had never been aggressive to us, just runs away and screams when we pick him up.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Oh well that's good to know! This is our first flock and they're all the same aged and have been raised together from week 1. This is the only one who's displaying strong signs of roosterdom but I guess there's still time for the others...

He's a very bossy chick, like if the others wander too far away he'll run to corral them back. And lots of those weird feet first flying jumps right into their faces. Since I'm new to chickens I don't know if that's normal or not. To me it looks like he's kind of a bully but maybe that's just roos? He's too scared of my husband and I had never been aggressive to us, just runs away and screams when we pick him up.

I would do some research on how to raise a cockerel into a respectful rooster asap. You don't want to make mistakes here, since an adult rooster can be dangerous.

 

[Mimi13]

definitely an easter egger, and definitely a cockerel. The plumage coloring alone says cockerel, let alone the comb.

Since I am still new to all this genetic stuff, could you explain why this bird’s plumage coloring identifies it as a cockerel please? I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Since I am still new to all this genetic stuff, could you explain why this bird’s plumage coloring identifies it as a cockerel please? I would greatly appreciate it.

It's the dark red on the wings.

Husband is right... that Easter Egger won't technically be a rooster until he reaches one year old. But rest assured, I agree with others he is indeed male.

It sounds like he might have the potential to be good rooster if he can manage his raging hormones. It will get worse before it gets better in my experience. My boys grow out together in a stag pen while they learn manners, but I realize this is not an option for everyone. I might consider kenneling him in their run/coop if he needs a time out (even long term) that could possibly save his life and allow him and his flock to live happily ever after. I view this as viable alternative to freezer camp, and do NOT consider it cruel... even if free range is preferred.

It's great that he already avoids you. I like to handle birds like that once they have gone to roost and simmered down a bit... to help get them more accustomed to handling even if I'm not trying to make friends per say. He is kinda pretty.

Best wishes!