Hens or Roos? I can't wait any longer!

[Lisaevegordon]

Hi Everyone,
Life has really come full circle. I was here a few months ago trying to ascertain why my adopted chicken wasn't laying eggs.. Only to discover it was because it was a rooster. Boy did I feel foolish. Well,
I dusted myself off and took the advice of a member and I went home from Rural King with 6 baby chicks the evening before Hurricane Ian hit. They were a hurricane special for 1.00 a piece!

Now here I am 3 months later and they're not so little anymore. I have had a wonderful time getting to know them and I must say I'm amazed at the level of personality that each one has. They have as much charisma and individuality as my little Havanese Bumbles.

I never knew how sweet and loving they could be because all I'd ever experienced was "Rooster" who attacked me on practically a daily basis.
Sadly he got caught by my neighbors dog and he didn't survive. The same dog took one of my chicks a couple weeks ago when it ended up in his yard. I cried for 3 days straight .. I've since taken steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.

I love my chickens so much and I wonder how I ever lived without them. They have become my little family. They are really all the family I have left. I lost both of my parents and my only son within a few years of one another and it had been just me and Bumbles until a few short months ago.

We are all learning and growing together and they are very forgiving of my mistakes. What wonderful little creatures they are!
I now find myself spending way too much time trying to figure out whether they are Hens or Roos. Boys or Girls and let's just say that it's not as easy as I'd hoped. After all I thought Rooster was a broody hen!

So I come to you all yet again and ask, beg, plead for your help. I literally can't wait any longer. I've spent 3 long months trying to figure it out but it's always an open ended and ambiguous question. My brain can't take such uncertainty. I have little doubt that most, if not all of you are way better at this than I am.. So please, help a girl out.

First up we have my most mischievous one of the bunch. Always the last one back in the coop following playtime.

Second is his or her sister or brother. There were 3 and now it's just the two of them and they get along quite well. I'm glad they have each other.

Up third is my lone wolf. In spite of being the odd one out he or she brings a lot of fun and laughter to the coop.

And last but not least we have the two that have grown leaps and bounds above the rest. It's hard to believe they were once all the same size. These are two of the loyalist creatures I've ever had the privilege of meeting. One had an injury that made it difficult to walk. It spent most of the time laying down and caused me more than a few sleepless nights worrying. I nursed it's bad leg by supporting it with ace bandages and made sure it wasn't picked on or shortchanged food by the others. This one's brother or sister wouldn't take off and play with the rest of the kids. It stuck close to it's injured sibling to ensure he or she was never alone which is a truly beautiful thing.

I'm happy to report that the leg issue seems to have resolved itself and they are both doing great!

We're actually ALL doing great! We're a happy little family of 7 and we wouldn't trade that for the world..
Chickens and dogs are the best! I just wish I'd discovered my love of raising chickens long ago. I'd no doubt have had a much happier life but the old adage "better late than never" is unquestionably true g
Thank you in advance for reading my post. I'd be so grateful for any information
you can provide me about my chickens. I hope to participate much more in your forum and I thank everyone involved in providing this invaluable service. Much love, Lisa f

 

[SueT]

Hi—-were the chicks sold as sexed pullets or straight run? At 3 months, I’m not sure, they all look feminine so far, to me at least. The large ones have redder combs/wattles, but they’re a different breed so you can’t really compare. No one is crowing, right?

 

[Lisaevegordon]

Hi—-were the chicks sold as sexed pullets or straight run? At 3 months, I’m not sure, they all look feminine so far, to me at least. The large ones have redder combs/wattles, but they’re a different breed so you can’t really compare. No one is crowing, right?

Nope. Not yet. When I got them at Rural King they were preparing for a hurricane and just put 6 in a box and handed them to me so I'm not sure whether they were sexed or not. Regardless of what they turn out to be, I'll love them all anyway. I was hoping for some eggs though and you've given me hope. Thank you so much!!

 

[SueT]

I look forward to the input of others who are familiar with these breeds….

 

[Sussex19]

The first two buff ones are definitely pullets, and I think all the others are as well.
However, I not sure, so wait and see what other people say.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

All pullets

 

[Cloverr39]

All look like pullets so far.

 

[Lovely Lettie]

All pullets.

 

[SueT]

What are the big ones? Delawares?

 

[JedJackson]

The two big ones look to be some type of hatchery meat strain. That's why they are so huge at that age, and it may explain the rapid development of their combs/wattles. The one in the repeated pictures has some pointy feathers. Those could be caused by those feathers getting wet, or it could mean it is a cockerel. If it is a boy then I suspect both of the big ones are males. The others are females.