gender identification

[Cindiloohoo]

Quote:
Look at the tail feathers. Just forward on the roo's are pointed feathers hens will not have. The comb and wattles are a dead giveaway also. Large combs and wattles are indicators of a roo.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I agree.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Even #2. See the pointy feathers that start at the tail and point downward? Those are saddle feathers and only males have them. And if you look at the hackle (neck) feathers, those are pointy as well.

Sorry.

 

[TenTanToes]

Quote:
I read this out loud to my wife, then clicked back to the pictures and as if on cue at the exact same time, we both groaned "Ohhhhhh." This is really turning out to be comical. To try to defend myself about the obviously huge comb and wattles (especially on #1), they weren't so large until about a week ago. They started getting huge so I thought I was about to have eggs soon, but those wattles just kept drooping lower and lower so I had my concerns.

When we got rid of our original 5 roosters, #3 was the only one from that first bunch. I then went and bought #s 1-2 from some folks who had a bunch of chickens running around their yard. They said they were getting eggs, and although they weren't sure who was laying them, those 2 were the largest chickens so they figured it was them. The thing is, when I got them they were quite large in size, larger than the 5 roosters I just got rid of, but their comb and wattles were very small so I thought for sure I was all set.

So now I have yet 2 more roosters to find a home for. Wow.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Quote:
I read this out loud to my wife, then clicked back to the pictures and as if on cue at the exact same time, we both groaned "Ohhhhhh." This is really turning out to be comical. To try to defend myself about the obviously huge comb and wattles (especially on #1), they weren't so large until about a week ago. They started getting huge so I thought I was about to have eggs soon, but those wattles just kept drooping lower and lower so I had my concerns.

When we got rid of our original 5 roosters, #3 was the only one from that first bunch. I then went and bought #s 1-2 from some folks who had a bunch of chickens running around their yard. They said they were getting eggs, and although they weren't sure who was laying them, those 2 were the largest chickens so they figured it was them. The thing is, when I got them they were quite large in size, larger than the 5 roosters I just got rid of, but their comb and wattles were very small so I thought for sure I was all set.

So now I have yet 2 more roosters to find a home for. Wow.

Perhaps your freezer or your cooking pot could be a good temporary home for both

Don't look for the biggest next time

 

[newchickmom09]

Yep agree with everyone. Next time you go and look at full grown chickens make sure they don't have those saddle feathers (feather in front of there tail) Those will always be pointy.

Large comb and wattles can very from breed to breed. My Black Asutralorp hens and my single comb silver laced wyandotte hen have huge wattles and combs now that they are laying.

 

[TenTanToes]

You folks are really fantastic, I'm so thankful I found this forum! One more question, any idea what breed these birds are? I was told Rhode Island Red and Buff Orpington, but at this point with my luck, I wouldn't be surprised to find out they are crows.

 

[eac04]

The first roo is definitely a rhode island red along with your chicken. If it was me, I'd keep the pair to get fertilized eggs and hatch them.

One way we identify roos is by their talons. The only roo we've ever had that was delayed in producing its talons was the modern game roo, all the others show their little bud of a talon when they reach maturity. I could be off here (As I'm new to this chicken raising thing) but if you compare your roos and your chickens, you'll see it's probably true.

 

[plfreitag]

1. Cockerel
2. Cockerel
3. Pullet

Look at the wattles. They are far more prominent on the cockerels, as are the combs.

I'd buy from someone else next time.

Trisha

 

[TenTanToes]

As much as I would love to hatch eggs, we just don't have the location for that kind of venture right now. Hopefully someday we will, and I don't seem to have any trouble locating roosters so maybe one day we will. This experience has taught me enough to know what NOT to do when trying to raise/sell chickens (like keep them so mixed up that you tell some uneducated chump that he's buying two laying hens when in fact they are both roosters...).