Help!

[CaliChris10]

I hope this is the right place to post this thread...
This beauty showed up in my front yard garden. I have never had chickens and I have so many questions lol.
I thought it was a hen but a family member thought he heard a crow this morning, first time in 5 days. So now I am questioning my original guess.
I bought some crumbles and scratch. Also I have been giving "her" (named her Luna, that might have to change that lol) fruits and veggies and lots of cold water cause it is super hot here in Ojai, CA. Good thing the garden has lots of shade. It was *110 yesterday.
Would love some input on breed and sex. And where I should go from here. Should I get friends? A coop?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Pullet Press]

It's a rooster, I think (sickle feathers near tail look roosterish) some sort of mix. If he were a hen, it'd be easier because the egg color could give a clue.
He'd probably like some company, and a coop is important. I think that he'd be happy with just 2 or 3 hens, so a small coop would work.

 

[Sammi_0411]

Sorey not sure on breed but thats definately a roo x

 

[CaliChris10]

It's a rooster, I think (sickle feathers near tail look roosterish) some sort of Easter Egger or Ameracauna mix because of the feathers on his feet.
He'd probably like some company, and a coop is important. I think that he'd be happy with just 2 or 3 hens, so a small coop would work.

Thank you! How does that work with eggs vs. chicks? Sorry I know very little about chickens.

 

[Pullet Press]

Does he have a safe place to sleep at night?

 

[The Happster]

It's a cockerel.
The white earlobes are interesting.
How many toes does he have?
He will fertilize the eggs, but you won't notice the difference. Chicks will not develop unless incubated.
Refrigerating eggs immediately is a good idea if you live in a particularly hot climate.

 

[CaliChris10]

Does he have a safe place to sleep at night?

I have no idea where he goes! At around 6 he disappears. I looked everywhere. Maybe a tree?

 

[Pullet Press]

I have no idea where he goes! At around 6 he disappears. I looked everywhere. Maybe a tree?

Can you handle him? If you can, try to build a small coop (or just get a dog crate) and put him in it every night and let him out in the mornings. He'll stay safer in a coop or dog crate than on his own.

 

[MotherOHens]

Awww
What a handsome guy! Looks young. I bet he still has lots of feathering to go even though you can see his saddle feathers-- (the more pointy ones toward his tail)-- which puts him... what? 3-4 months old at least.
He looks like a barnyard mix to me. If you choose to get more chickens, I would say get them sex linked so that you can be sure you have all girls to go with him.
If you choose to keep him solo, you could make him a house rooster-- there are chicken diapers so they only poop in there.
If you want to keep him outside, he will need a coop for his own protection against predators your area may have.

 

[CaliChris10]

It's a cockerel.
The white earlobes are interesting.
How many toes does he have?
He will fertilize the eggs, but you won't notice the difference. Chicks will not develop unless incubated.
Refrigerating eggs immediately is a good idea if you live in a particularly hot climate.

Thanks!! He has 4 toes.