Hens crowing?

[swhite]

We got 6 2 week old chicks and they are now about 16 weeks old. Is it possible that 4/6 are roosters or is it more likely that we have crowing hens? We gave 2 away who we were sure were roosters due to their comb and crowing. Now 2 more are crowing. We cannot keep roosters because of the noise. Any advice?

 

[Basskids08]

You either need to give them away, have them for dinner or post pics and maybe just maybe they are pullets and they just like to make crowing sounds! I hope it's the later for you!

 

[keesmom]

Pullets do not crow. If you aren't sure which ones are cockerels post pictures and people here can point them out.

 

[Basskids08]

Pullets do not crow. If you aren't sure which ones are cockerels post pictures and people here can point them out.

I was only kidding about the pullets crowing!

 

[iwiw60]

PICS, please!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

It is possible for an older hen in a flock that's lost its rooster to make some strangled crowing sounds.

However, it isn't common and it doesn't happen in young birds. If they're crowing, they are male.

Post some pics and we'll confirm it for you though.

 

[donrae]

Crowing at 16 weeks means male, no way around that.

My best advice is to buy sex link chicks or older, started birds so you can easily tell gender. Spend time on this site looking at pictures to educate yourself on what birds of different ages should look like, comb size, sex feathers, etx.

Also, if you are looking to buy birds older than 4ish weeks, get pics first and post them here for us to chime in on gender. We've saved a few folks some bad sellers that way.

 

[keesmom]

I was only kidding about the pullets crowing!

I know you were! The OP asked if it were possible that 4 of 6 chicks could turn out to be males or if it were more likely some were crowing pullets. I've had all male hatches before so I'm happy to get at least some pullets.

 

[Basskids08]

I was only kidding about the pullets crowing!

I know you were! The OP asked if it were possible that 4 of 6 chicks could turn out to be males or if it were more likely some were crowing pullets.  I've had all male hatches before so I'm happy to get at least some pullets.

Don't I know that feeling! I just kept mine and decided the neighbors could learn to like the noise. I have to listen to their dogs bark, they can listen to my Roos!

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Pullets don't crow, however, they do sometimes make a funny "crowing" sound which causes people to question gender. Adult hens sometimes crow though. I had two sebright hens who crowed and acted exactly like roosters but laid eggs!