Help Newbie.. Are my hens roos? any idea what breed?

[Addictedtothebirds]

Hello! We are new to the chicken thing. We are so addicted and our 16 new chicks are on the way. We are curious about our existing 4. We bought them at a auction last year and thought they were all hens. Over the winter they have changed a lot and two seem to look like roosters and one that used to be nice is very mean now. She/he crows and looks like a rooster. We are confused because we are getting 2 to 3 eggs a day and we know our little one isnt laying them because they are huge. The two big ones have little things on the back of their legs but they dont look like claws. We are confused and embarassed that we cant tell. Anyone who could answer would be great. Yes you can laugh at us if it is obvious. Any ideas on their breeds?

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

Looks like you got some nice BLRW roo's and a hen there. Pretty.

 

[SaltyMomma]

Um... I'm no expert by any means, but I'd guess they were roo's... I can see how it would be confusing though if you're getting 2-3 eggs a day with possibly only 1-2 hens. Very curious

 

[gryeyes]

Please don't be embarrassed at not knowing which are roosters and which are hens. I started "this chicken thing" in October 2009, just a few months ago. Raised 7 chicks from 3 days old to laying hens and an "accidental" roo.

Had I seen some of my chickens as adults last summer BEFORE I started down this track, I would have thought many of my hens were roosters. I honestly didn't know hens grew combs, thought that was just a rooster thing.

Hens do grow spurs, too. ;-)

 

[Addictedtothebirds]

Thanks. They have been together for almost a year. Can I assume that they will co-exist ok or should we give one away? It is amazing how much they changed over the winter. The coloring on them is much nicer this year than when we got them last year.

 

[lauralou]

It's true that hens can grow spurs. I have a hen named Sophie-With-Spurs. (To differentiate her from Sophie-Without-Spurs.

)

The two birds you have pictured are roosters. The easiest way to tell that is because they have saddle feathers. See those feathers hanging over their backs, right where a horse would wear a saddle? Hens don't have those.

Also, the long tail feathers are a big clue.

But don't be embarrassed that you weren't sure! You'll know next time. Because you asked.

A lot of times roosters that are raised together will get along just fine. The thing to watch out for is that they don't overmate your hens. Overmated hens can lose the feathers on their backs. It can get pretty rough. You can make chicken saddles for them as protection. Or you can get rid of one of your roosters.

Edit: I meant to say you could get chicken saddles or get rid of a roo IF your hens start suffering from the extra attention. Not that it was your only choice!

 

[REINABUGY]

Both Are Roosters

 

[Galloloco]

Roosters is my vote. Tail feathers and attitude!