Help - is this a rooster?!

Date sort Score sort
stjuma

stjuma

Hatching
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
7
Location
Ohio
Hi,
We are new to having backyard chickens and let our kids research and pick out heir own varieties. We got one Dominique, one Rhode Island Red, one Cream Legbar, and one Buff Orpington. We got the hens when they were one day old and they will be 14 weeks on Monday (April 20). I've been noticing that the buff Orpington has a huge red comb and waddles compared to the others and today (s)he crowed! Is this a boy?
If so do I need to isolate him from the girls? I didn't research any of this... I only was prepared to take care of girls and get eggs. I am assuming I don't want crossbreed chicks right?!
400
 
stjuma said:
Hi,
We are new to having backyard chickens and let our kids research and pick out heir own varieties. We got one Dominique, one Rhode Island Red, one Cream Legbar, and one Buff Orpington. We got the hens when they were one day old and they will be 14 weeks on Monday (April 20). I've been noticing that the buff Orpington has a huge red comb and waddles compared to the others and today (s)he crowed! Is this a boy?
If so do I need to isolate him from the girls? I didn't research any of this... I only was prepared to take care of girls and get eggs. I am assuming I don't want crossbreed chicks right?!
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC! Yes, your bird is a cockerel - certain physical characteristics are showing and the crowing seals the deal. While you will read about "crowing hens" online it is important to know that these birds are older, mature hens who have developed a hormonal imbalance, etc. - birds the age of your bird who are crowing are cockerels starting to "feel their oats".
Provided you are legally able to keep a crowing bird in your location (if you are within the city limits you'll need to refer to the ordinances for that locality), there is no reason you can't keep him. You won't need to separate him from your females as fertile eggs that are collected daily are no different than infertile eggs as far as being eaten. Only if an egg is actually incubated (which would require a broody hen or an incubator) would any development of chicks begin. That being said, if you decide you want to hatch there is no reason not to hatch eggs from mixed breedings.
Three girls and one boy could be a potential problem as your girls can end up taking some damage from over-breeding.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided join our flock. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your Buff Orpington is indeed a rooster. With no more hens than you have, I would definitely remove him from the flock. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature, too many roosters (or in your case too few hens) will become very hard physically on your hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them, and potentially, seriously injuring them. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.
 
Some folks love to have crossbred chicks but, I would think the market is better for purebreds. If you don't need fertile eggs, you don't need a rooster. Hens will continue to lay (non fertile) eggs and are generally happier without a rooster - complicating their lives.
 
You can skimp and have 8 hens if you don't have a ton of space. Separating him for at least most of each day will help the hens remain undamaged. However, don't do it until he is the top bird in the pecking order. If the hens don't learn to submit, there will always be problems. It'll be a little rough at first for all but the hens will learn to submit and the roo will learn to be a gentleman. They all need to know each other, then he gets a bachelor pad. And, a BO over an RIR is a nice cross. Once he is separated, you can control who and when he breeds. Have fun!
smile.png
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom