CassieChook
Hatching
- Jun 13, 2025
- 5
- 0
- 4
Hello!
I hope someone can help me...
I rescued these two chickens about 6 weeks ago. My workplace had bought into that awful scheme where you can pay farms to hatch eggs and look after the chicks for a couple of weeks. Of course, I was concerned over what would happen to the chicks on their return to the farm, so I took two and am learning as I go. I think they're about 8 weeks old and look as though they're bantams. Any suggestion of breed would be useful.
More importantly, gender. The black one has developed a lovely comb and wattle (more pink than red at the moment). I wondered if this meant they are a cockerel or if it was simply down to the developmental particulars of the breed, as I don't even know if these two chooks are the same breed and hoped they're just developing at different rates. Their tails 'came out' at the same time, at around 2-3 weeks old.
This morning, however, the black chicken made a few suspiciously crow-like sounds. I have no problems keeping a cockerel but have read that it's not good to keep him with a single hen. I don't think I can get more hens - I live in an urban area so know I'm taking some risks already with these two.
What do you think? Have I got a lovely little boy on my hands? And, if so, what should I do?!
Thanks!
I hope someone can help me...
I rescued these two chickens about 6 weeks ago. My workplace had bought into that awful scheme where you can pay farms to hatch eggs and look after the chicks for a couple of weeks. Of course, I was concerned over what would happen to the chicks on their return to the farm, so I took two and am learning as I go. I think they're about 8 weeks old and look as though they're bantams. Any suggestion of breed would be useful.
More importantly, gender. The black one has developed a lovely comb and wattle (more pink than red at the moment). I wondered if this meant they are a cockerel or if it was simply down to the developmental particulars of the breed, as I don't even know if these two chooks are the same breed and hoped they're just developing at different rates. Their tails 'came out' at the same time, at around 2-3 weeks old.
This morning, however, the black chicken made a few suspiciously crow-like sounds. I have no problems keeping a cockerel but have read that it's not good to keep him with a single hen. I don't think I can get more hens - I live in an urban area so know I'm taking some risks already with these two.
What do you think? Have I got a lovely little boy on my hands? And, if so, what should I do?!
Thanks!