Hen or Roo

[lilchickenz]

Two photos of two different chicks, siblings hatched at the same time. They are a month old. The one on the top has a very red comb already. Sorry it's hard to get a good image, they move so fast, but it does look a lot more red than the pic shows and the comb is also larger than the ones that still have small yellow ones . The one on the bottom has a yellow comb the way it was when it hatched and it's still small. Does the larger red comb this early indicate it might be a roo or is it just natural variation regardless of sex? These are rhode island red chicks. I have also seen a couple of them with the more red combs fighting. They stretch their necks up, bump chests, flap up and scratch with feet. I never saw my girl chicks from my previous flock doing that.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If it's comb is red at that age than it's probably male. You should know for sure in the next few weeks if it becomes more red and prominent.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Likely a boy with that much comb at that age. Agree, wait a few weeks. You can get better photos if you hold them.

 

[lilchickenz]

They're with a hen and I haven't handled them much so they aren't easy to catch and hold.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

No worries!

 

[lilchickenz]

Here he is again. He's fighting with another of them. The other one has also tried to crow yesterday. These birds aren't even 2 months old! Can anyone recommend a good sharp knife or ax? I may need to dispatch these birds sooner than expected.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

He is a he!

 

[lilchickenz]

A real bummer. I ordered a sharp knife this morning. Even if I could keep roosters I wouldn't have room for more than 1.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My husband uses a filet knife. They are extremely sharp.

 

[lilchickenz]

I ordered a boning knife. I think it's similar to a filet knife, should be as sharp at least. I hope it's sharp enough to take the whole head off at once.