Help! Are these roosters?

[newbie32]

OK - how cool is this! As suggested - profile and back pics.

Here are my birds.

1st 2 pics - Birdie Pearl.
2nd 2 pics - Lil Joe.
5th pic - Birdie Pearl on right, Lil Joe on left.
6th pic - Big Mama. (Ironic. She was the biggest one when we got them).
7th pic - All 3.

The majority of people, including my husband, say Big Mama is the only hen.
Thoughts?

Lil Joe is a rooster for sure!

 

[donrae]

Yep, two roo and one hen.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Agree, that last photo, the bird with the smallest comb, is the only hen.

 

[PioneerPrincess]

Yes, I'd definitely say that Birdie Pearl and Lil Joe are roosters and that Big Mama is a pullet.

 

[birdiepearl]

Thanks all for the help. I think you're right, as i continue to watch them. Sad, but they will have to go!

 

[stonecoldchey]

by the way.

 

[birdiepearl]

Since the backyard chicken hobby is quite addicting and I've found myself searching online EVERY evening for tips, breed info, and especially determining the gender of my birds, here are three other 'methods' that I've run across...interesting!

1) Hold the chick in the air by it's head. If it struggles, boy. If it hangs there, girl. (We didn't do this).

2) If the chick has a stripe on it's head, most likely female. No stripe, a roo. (Looking back at day old chick pictures of our birds, this is 100 % accurate!)

3) As they develop, roosters will tend to look 'greasy' on the neck/hackle feather area. This is also 100 % true in our case - the two that we think are roos are indeed looking quite greasy, while the hen is soft and dry and lovely.

Learning a LOT as we go! I guess that's the way it is!

 

[Kev]

The first pic is pretty cool!

I agree two cockerels one pullet. Cockerel signs- bigger thicker legs and toes, darker feather overall with darker, shinier(like oil or grease) thinner and pointy tipped feathers on necks and back. Pullet is more even and a little lighter in color, skinnier and shorter legs and toes.

It's beyond ambiguous what sex they are, best to get rid of the two as soon as possible. It probably won't be too long before one or two decides to start trying to crow.

 

[birdiepearl]

Wow! Beyond ambiguous! Not heard it quite that strongly yet! Thank you!

I think I've been in denial.... They are my first chickens ever...and now, to try and relocate them AND find birds to take their place, out of season, when a Minnesota winter is fast approaching....bad timing!

I live in town and can only have 4. Any suggestions on what breeds to look for that can withstand a bit more confinement, and cold hardy? Husband built the best and cutest and functional and ventilated yet winter hardy coop ever....

Thanks!

 

[donrae]

Any bird named after a state or part of New England is pretty cold hardy---Rocks, Rhode Island reds, New Hamps, Delawares, etc. Most English breeds are cold hardy as well--Orpingtons, Sussex. Stay away from Mediterranean breeds like Leghorns or Andalusians.