Hen or Roo?

[kierstog]

White Ameraucana, about 10 weeks old. Hen or Roo?

 

[LilJoe]

Iffy....do you have a better comb pic?

 

[junebuggena]

Too young. Ameraucana can be REALLY slow to develop. And getting a good photo of saddle feathers on a white bird can be very difficult.

 

[kierstog]

Is this one any better?

 

[junebuggena]

Nope. And 10 weeks is too young for obvious male feathering anyways.

 

[sassysarah]

Can you get a close up comb pic?

 

[kierstog]

Can you get a close up comb pic?

11 weeks old now, here is a close up of comb

 

[BonDEEroo]

How does it behave around other birds? I don't know Ameraucanas, but by 10-11 weeks I would expect some identifiable roosterish behaviour - standing alert at sudden noises, and trying to guard the others; play-fights with other males; chasing females especially broody hens or noisy space cadet hens etc. I also find that if you hand-raise them, the males when young are usually easier to catch and handle, and friendlier to humans, until they hit rooster puberty. This is a pity when you get fond of them and then have to get rid of them!

 

[kierstog]

How does it behave around other birds? I don't know Ameraucanas, but by 10-11 weeks I would expect some identifiable roosterish behaviour - standing alert at sudden noises, and trying to guard the others; play-fights with other males; chasing females especially broody hens or noisy space cadet hens etc. I also find that if you hand-raise them, the males when young are usually easier to catch and handle, and friendlier to humans, until they hit rooster puberty. This is a pity when you get fond of them and then have to get rid of them!

We have noticed her (or him :/) facing off with our Barred Rock that we're pretty sure is a roo.

 

[BonDEEroo]

If he/she's the only one doing the facing off thing, I'd say he's a he. The photos show a rooster attitude to me. They're all good looking birds!