Help! I'm a newbee . . .

[heychickychicky]

Hello everyone,
I am a total newbee, city girl but was given 3 chickens a few weeks ago. From what I was told they were born around April 15. I was told that two of them were pullets and one is a cockeral, although when I look up those chickens - they really do not resemble the pics on google. I am wondering a couple things: How would I know if any are roosters? Would they already have been cock-a-doodling in the wee hours of the morning? Or, is that still to come? And, what is the average age of these chicks to start laying eggs?
Thanks

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC and the wonderful world of chickens!

Roosters may take up to a year to start crowing! However, by 10 weeks of age they usually have a large (larger than the pullets) red comb and wattles and are larger with thicker, longer look legs. At around 15 weeks they should be showing the sickle feathers on the tail and saddle feathers on the back.

Chickens may start laying as early as 15 weeks or as late as 28 weeks, though usually it is between 20 and 22 for most.

Best of luck with your flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

Be patient, eggs will come and you will be over the moon. Good things are well worth waiting for.

 

[heychickychicky]

Ok, here is the 2nd pic that didn't come thru the first time. Anybody know what kind of chicken this cutie is? And, rooster or hen? We are estimating they were hatched around 4/15.

 

[GitaBooks]

Ok, here is the 2nd pic that didn't come thru the first time. Anybody know what kind of chicken this cutie is? And, rooster or hen? We are estimating they were hatched around 4/15.

It looks like an Australorp (or maybe Black Giant) pullet.

 

[heychickychicky]

And, here is the 3rd. Same question: what kind of chicken? And, hen or rooster? None of the 3 seem to be roosters . . . none are cock a doodle doodling yet, and I hope they don't start.

 

[Pyxis]

And, here is the 3rd. Same question: what kind of chicken? And, hen or rooster? None of the 3 seem to be roosters . . . none are cock a doodle doodling yet, and I hope they don't start.

Easter egger pullet

 

[GitaBooks]

Easter egger pullet

x2

She is very pretty.

 

[torilovessmiles]

Both you have posted are pullets I'd lead towards 20-24 weeks for those breeds to start laying. The cockerel should start crowing soon, and it will sound hilariously pathetic at first!