Hen or Rooster?

[MysteryChicken]

I always grew up with a ton of chickens hens and multiple roosters around the property .. but they free ranged on many many acres .. the idea of keeping them in a run/coop makes me nervous. Do you free range?

I free range occasionally. When the weather isn't nasty.

 

[FarmerLex]

If any are hens I think it would be the green one they all look like males to me. If they are not fighting I would not separate them. But if you do only have one or 2 hens you will need to only keep one rooster and probably add more hens or if you want to keep all of them you will need to get more hens for every rooster

If we have only one possible hen how long can she stay by herself until we get more pullets? We did not plan on keeping any roosters so this is very unfortunate and not quite sure what to do from here.

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

If we have only one possible hen how long can she stay by herself until we get more pullets? We did not plan on keeping any roosters so this is very unfortunate and not quite sure what to do from here.

I would get more as soon as possible.

I have two small dog crates, plus a bigger one, I use for brooding chicks. So if it were me, I would be able to put a new batch of chicks - ideally from the same source, for biosecurity reasons - nearby enough that they can see and hear each other, but not touch. That way at least she would have some company if you are able to re-home the cockerels fairly soon ish. As long as they are still small, it shouldn't be too much of a problem for them to be together, but I would think by the time they all go outside, I personally would want the cockerels in a separate grow-out pen.

You can kind of finagle the timing to bring them out depending on your climate and things like that. Like if you have one pullet who is older, you would probably keep her inside longer while the other chicks grow out, so say she's about 10-11 weeks, but the rest are only about six, and the weather is nice, that could work for them all to integrate in the coop at that point, if you haven't already integrated them in the brooder by that time.

Last year I brooded chicks together that were about two weeks apart, that had its challenges but it was fine. I can't remember but I think they went outside when they were 8 and 10 weeks? or 7 and 9? respectively. 4-5 weeks is a much bigger age / size gap, so I would honestly hurry out and get more chicks ASAP, along with finding out if anyone can either take extra males, or else making a plan to grow them out yourself. I have heard you want to process before they crow anyway, so what, 12-16 weeks only and they can be dinner.

 

[World Down Side Up]

I always grew up with a ton of chickens hens and multiple roosters around the property .. but they free ranged on many many acres .. the idea of keeping them in a run/coop makes me nervous. Do you free range?

Agreed. I have multiple roosters and free range. No issues. You tend to have issues in close quarters like the coop.

 

[World Down Side Up]

Guys. I think I have 2 females and 1 male in my newest generation. Not including these 3, I have 2 roosters and 4 hens. The grey and black chicks were from one of my Ameraucana hens and my barred-rock rooster. The white chick is from my Lavender Orpington hen and my KFC rooster (not sure what breed really, just reminds me of a KFC rooster). What's your thoughts on the sex of these chicks?

r

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[Quarterhorses1]

Guys. I think I have 2 females and 1 male in my newest generation. Not including these 3, I have 2 roosters and 4 hens. The grey and black chicks were from one of my Ameraucana hens and my barred-rock rooster. The white chick is from my Lavender Orpington hen and my KFC rooster (not sure what breed really, just reminds me of a KFC rooster). What's your thoughts on the sex of these chicks?

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Yes, girl girl boy

 

[Holdthechicken]

Guys. I think I have 2 females and 1 male in my newest generation. Not including these 3, I have 2 roosters and 4 hens. The grey and black chicks were from one of my Ameraucana hens and my barred-rock rooster. The white chick is from my Lavender Orpington hen and my KFC rooster (not sure what breed really, just reminds me of a KFC rooster). What's your thoughts on the sex of these chicks?

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I think your barred rock may actually be a Dominique cause of the rose comb, he’s gorgeous. How old are your chicks? I think the white one and the first one might be cockerels due to the red combs and the first one is showing red on the wings. The darkest chick I can’t tell.

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

Got 5 straight run RIR chicks! They are about 5 almost 6 weeks old. Wanted to see if anyone could help me figure out which ones are male vs female. They have colored bands on their legs and one has no band. So far I believe purple is a rooster and green is a hen. Does anyone have any advice as well for what to do if we have more roosters than hens? Do I need to separate them soon? Thanks!

How's it going, any leads on chicks? Maybe this week some will come in...

I PMed you as well.

 

[World Down Side Up]

I think your barred rock may actually be a Dominique cause of the rose comb, he’s gorgeous. How old are your chicks? I think the white one and the first one might be cockerels due to the red combs and the first one is showing red on the wings. The darkest chick I can’t tell.

Interesting. I'll have to do some research on the Dominiques. He came from the first set of eggs that were given to us. These ladies had chickens from different parts of the world and really didn't know what they had, so we were kind of guessing.
The chicks will be 6 weeks on 5/03. Thanks for the info.

 

[FarmerLex]

How's it going, any leads on chicks? Maybe this week some will come in...

I PMed you as well.

Pretty sure they are all roosters! They are starting to become aggressive as well so its been challenging. Should put them outside this week. We did pre-order sexed female chicks from a local farm and will be getting them later this summer!