Help! Is our Dominique a Rooster?

[rockstarhen]

We have 4 8-week old "hens" of various breeds - at least they are all supposed to be hens... Our dominique, who is the dominant one in the flock, has started "crowing" in the mornings. Is she officially not a hen but a rooster?

 

[Cowgirl71]

Yes, definitely a cockerel, sorry.

 

[JTRZWestminster]

To guarantee anything I would need front and side shots. Sometimes younger hens will crow because they hear others doing it, however, that bird does have the crowing pattern down pat, as well as a very red comb, so I'm gonna go with male.

 

[sourland]

'She' is officially not a pullet - cockerel for sure.

 

[rockstarhen]

The chickens move pretty quickly in the morning, but this is the best I could do. It's comb still doesn't have any fingers, though I agree that it's very flush. It's also still looks very much more black than white (I know the roosters really start to look more *white* overall). But the situation is highly suspect.

 

[sourland]

The comb will not develop points as your bird appears to be a Dominique.

Oops, my bad, it appears that you already knew that.

 

[Cowgirl71]

The chickens move pretty quickly in the morning, but this is the best I could do. It's comb still doesn't have any fingers, though I agree that it's very flush. It's also still looks very much more black than white (I know the roosters really start to look more *white* overall). But the situation is highly suspect.

Definitely a cockerel, no question. Your Easter Egger and Light Brahma are both looking like pullets though. (I couldn't get a good enough look at your 4th chick (Australorp?) to say one way or the other)

 

[rockstarhen]

Yes, the fourth is an Australorp. Fingers crossed that one is a hen, too, or we'll be down significantly in expected egg production... Thanks so much for your help!!