Help identifying whether I have 2 roosters or a hen with a large comb

[Chickenlady1028]

I hope to hatch some. Will it be a shock for the rest of them if I get rid of one of the boys? I don't want to traumatize them too much since they are so close to beginning to lay eggs.

 

[appps]

As a general rule of thumb if a newly through puberty ;-) chicken crows it's a rooster. Yes hens have been known to but they aren't known to do it that young.

As for the jumping on the back and pecking their neck that's chicken sex education 101 . That is how they mate so if you don't like it you might need to Rehome both your roosters I'm afraid.

I don't think my hens even noticed when we rehomed our rooster.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

I hope to hatch some. Will it be a shock for the rest of them if I get rid of one of the boys? I don't want to traumatize them too much since they are so close to beginning to lay eggs.

I don't think getting rid of one of the roosters will traumatize them.

 

[Chickenlady1028]

I knew that it was how they mated, but it is really only a split second. I guess he's technically getting the job done! Haha. Thank you for the information, I was so unsure of the crowing hen, I was trying to give the hatchery the benefit of the doubt since one of the Speckled's was supposed to be a hen. I have only seen the rooster that was in question do that to the hens so I will keep an eye on it and if it becomes an issue I will have to find "Lucy" a new home. LOL.

 

[Chickenlady1028]

That's good to know! Thank you so much

 

[WVduckchick]

Do they free range or are they confined? I ask because I had 8 hens with 2 roosters, and it worked out great, for quite a while. When they free-range, if the girls get a bit split, the alpha rooster would go with the front of the flock, and the beta rooster would stick back with the straggler girls. So it "can" work. Depends on your situation and your flock.

 

[Chickenlady1028]

Do they free range or are they confined? I ask because I had 8 hens with 2 roosters, and it worked out great, for quite a while. When they free-range, if the girls get a bit split, the alpha rooster would go with the front of the flock, and the beta rooster would stick back with the straggler girls. So it "can" work. Depends on your situation and your flock.

I keep them confined unless my husband or myself are at home. I usually free range them every chance I get. There hasn't been any issues between them but I don't want it to come to that if I can help it...

 

[BantamLover21]

Both are roosters.

 

[Chickenlady1028]

Both are roosters.

Thank you! I will see if they can continue getting along before I decide to get rid of one of them.