Help - are they hens of roosters?

[lovepawsandclaw]

We have 4 chickens in our flick, about 6 months old, got them as babies, were told they should all be female... We have 1 that just started laying and 3 who have not ... 2 we are worried might never ... Can anyone tell me if these 2 look like roosters? Am worried about the RIR and the Jersey Giant.

 

[lovepawsandclaw]

 

[lovepawsandclaw]

 

[junebuggena]

They all look like pullets to me.

 

[lovepawsandclaw]

They all look like pullets to me.

... Pullets means female?

 

[aart]

Quote: Look like pullets to me too......if they were male they'd be crowing by 6 months old.

Females are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Males are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks, cockbirds or roosters.

Onset of lay is on average 18-24 weeks, but some take longer to start laying.

Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

2 bony points on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[lovepawsandclaw]

Look like pullets to me too......if they were male they'd be crowing by 6 months old.

Females are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Males are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks, cockbirds or roosters.

Onset of lay is on average 18-24 weeks, but some take longer to start laying.

Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

2 bony points on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

Thank you so much for the info !!!