Hen vs. rooster??

[Poultry parent]

My rooster never got worked up when I picked up the hens.

not all of them do, my little silkie roo will puff up his neck feathers or cluck,

good roos (the ones that are best at protecting hens) will get worked up

i still think it's a roo because of how high he holds himself and the coupled with the fact that he might have crowed

 

[aart]

Quote: They can tho.....one of my litmus tests for a good cockbird, something I do intentionally and repeatedly during assessment.
He can come check it out and show concern at her squawking when I pick her up,
but he needs to accept I will handle his hens whenever I want with no aggression towards me or any birds when it happens.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

They can tho.....one of my litmus tests for a good cockbird, something I do intentionally and repeatedly during assessment.
He can come check it out and show concern at her squawking when I pick her up,
but he needs to accept I will handle his hens whenever I want with no aggression towards me or any birds when it happens.

I understand that, I just don't recommend trying to figure out gender based on that.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Even some of my pullets get a little worked up when I hold another. Especially the Australorps. I'm not sure if they actually get worked uo or just want to take the time to bully the one I'm holding or what but sometimes they have pecked me or tried to bite until I let them go haha I know they're pullets because I only have 8 birds and have gotten 8 eggs before plus they don't have combs or crow

 

[Poultry parent]

the getting worked up thing is not something to determine the gender just additional info to add to other signs

 

[aart]

Quote: Oh no, they don't do that until long after their gender is obvious.....sorry, I missed the context of your statement.

 

[Chicken Girl1]

Quote: Oh no, they don't do that until long after their gender is obvious.....sorry, I missed the context of your statement.
Your fine, I looked back and I wasn't making myself very clear. Thank you for sharing though.

 

[summerb123]

does it have spurs if so rooster hen do have little spurs that are barely noticable too the eye a 4 month old rooster on the other hand would have a good sized spurs and pretty neck and tail feathers

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

does it have spurs if so rooster hen do have little spurs that are barely noticable too the eye a 4 month old rooster on the other hand would have a good sized spurs and pretty neck and tail feathers

Actually, at 4 months most cockerels would not have noticeable spurs. However, most would have hackle, saddle and sickle feathers, so you're right on that point. Don't base your gender guess on a four month old's spurs, as both pullets and cockerels have spur buttons at a young age.

 

[summerb123]

Actually, at 4 months most cockerels would not have noticeable spurs. However, most would have hackle, saddle and sickle feathers, so you're right on that point. Don't base your gender guess on a four month old's spurs, as both pullets and cockerels have spur buttons at a young age.

i forgot what the feathers were called so i said that but i say other wise i have a 3 month old rooster and has noticeable spurs they are about 5 cm long and the hens which are the same age have little nubs for spurs