Hoping for Hens x4

[ByardK]

Hi All!

New here and wondering about my chickens. I am a teacher and got them from school. I have zero idea what breeds they are. I do know they are from a farm and two were white eggs the other two beige and brown eggs if I remember correctly.

I am wishing for all hens, but...

 

[thecatumbrella]

Do you have any idea of their age? Some of the combs are pretty large and red, but I'm not seeing any male feathers (unless I'm blind... someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

 

[AinaWGSD]

Age would help. Right now, assuming these guys are somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks old, it looks like 3 cockerels and 1 pullet. The solid black one is the only one I think is female.

 

[JedJackson]

I agree with AinaWGSD.

 

[ByardK]

Hi!

Thanks for your input. They are about 2 months now. The two white ones always chest bump, but I have read this is not necessarily an indicator of hens vs. roos. The mottled one runs away all of the time and so does the black one. The two white ones are relatively friendlier. Maybe I am just praying they are hens.

 

[ByardK]

Do you have any idea of their age? Some of the combs are pretty large and red, but I'm not seeing any male feathers (unless I'm blind... someone correct me if I'm wrong!)

I like your answer the best. Lol.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Sorry, at 8 weeks those three are definitely boys. Chest bumping isn't a sign of gender at this age, but the color and size of those combs and wattles definitely are. Male specific saddle and hackle feathers don't usually start to come in until 12 weeks.

 

[JedJackson]

I like your answer the best. Lol.

They are too young for male specific feathering. That comes in around 12 weeks. Go by comb and wattles-- color and size.

 

[ByardK]

Sorry, at 8 weeks those three are definitely boys. Chest bumping isn't a sign of gender at this age, but the color and size of those combs and wattles definitely are. Male specific saddle and hackle feathers don't usually start to come in until 12 weeks.

So, in the case that all 3 are cockerels, what is your suggestion for giving them up and to whom? A farm? A butcher? Should I wait?

 

[redinator]

So, in the case that all 3 are cockerels, what is your suggestion for giving them up and to whom? A farm? A butcher? Should I wait?

Good luck on giving them up. I have 10 Rhode Island Red cockerels (young roosters) that have been listed everywhere I can think of, for over a month, and I still have all 10.