Help?! Males or females?

[Chickmeg]

This is snowball. Approx. 12 week old Ameraucana. Recently started crowing every morning at sunrise.

This is Stripes. Approx. 12 week old Ameraucana, also crows at sunrise.

I'm new to chickens and am worried I may have roosters on my hands. I also have a RIR that I'm sure is a female. These other two puff up their chest and neck feathers and seem to push each other out of the way a lot. My red just goes with the flow. Any help is appreciated, thank you!

 

[Lolipop]

Well, if they crow, I thought that meant that they were roos...?

 

[Chickmeg]

I thought so too but I also read that sometimes females will crow in absence of a roo? I'm confused.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

Those are both absolutely, positively, 100% cockerels. They also are Easter Eggers, not Ameraucanas.

The way to tell with just a glance is from the red patches on their wings. That color pattern is sex-linked and only males can have it. When you see those red wing patches, you don't need to look for the comb or saddle feathers, or anything else.

The blue cockerel is a beauty.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Those are both absolutely, positively, 100% cockerels. They also are Easter Eggers, not Ameraucanas.

The way to tell with just a glance is from the red patches on their wings. That color pattern is sex-linked and only males can have it. When you see those red wing patches, you don't need to look for the comb or saddle feathers, or anything else.

The blue cockerel is a beauty.

X2

 

[Chickmeg]

Oh man I'm so bummed. Both of those belong to my boys and sadly we are not allowed Roosters in our neighborhood. Do you know how our girl will handle those two leaving? Do they get used to solitary quickly or should we get more hens? Thank you!

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

You should get more hens.She will get lonley all by herself. If possible I would get ones the close to the same age as her.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

You should get more hens.She will get lonley all by herself. If possible I would get ones the close to the same age as her.

Absolutely right. Chickens do best in groups of three or more, and integration is MUCH easier when they are all physically the same size.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Absolutely right. Chickens do best in groups of three or more, and integration is MUCH easier when they are all physically the same size.

Yes Ididnt even think about intergration.Very true.

 

[Chickmeg]

Ok, thank you for all of your help!