How old do male bantams start crowing?

[Andi]

I've read in other threads that the quickest way of determining male bantams is the males tend to begin crowing at an early age. I'm new to chickens and have no idea what age that would be. Out of the several threads I read that, none of them mentioned it, but just said 'young'.

The 2 bantams I have are almost 6 weeks and I haven't noticed any crowing. Both of the bantams are real scrappers though. Could their bully demeanor indicate sex or is that just a breed thing?

 

[Sequin]

What breed of bantams do you have? I have two roo bantams that are kept together and they get along fine. They roost together etc. My boys got red combs and wattles pretty early on. They are about 10 weeks now, and they have had pretty unmistakeable combs/wattles for at Least the last 4 weeks. I would say they started crowing about 2 or 3 weeks ago. So, "early" or "young" could mean around 6-10 weeks of age. If you post pictures we could probably help you identify your chicks for you.

 

[Mahonri]

Anywhere between 6 and 16 weeks.

 

[catwalk]

My banty Cochin roo is 9 weeks old and is trying to crow. It's kinda pathetic, as my Silkie hen does a better job at it. Red comb and wattle is sure give away, a pullet's will still be fairly small and yellow at that age.

 

[Andi]

Here are some pics of my bantams, if that helps. From what I can gather I do believe Cochin enters into the mix because of the leg and feet feathers. They were bought at a farm store and sold just as bantams, which I guess just means miniature, right?

This picture is from this morning, which is 6 weeks today or tomorrow.

These next ones are of Socks. First at 2 weeks; the other 2 today.

This last group is of Nicker. Again, first at 2 weeks; the other 2 are from today.

 

[Snap62]

I raise lots of OEG bantams. Most are "squeeking" at 9 weeks, getting a rythm to the squeeking at 10 weeks, and full blown crowing at 12 weeks

 

[Andi]

Thanks. I guess I'll just need to be patient in determining if they will be hens or roosters.

Any ideas on what kind of bantams these are?

 

[dixiechick]

my cochin bantams are crowing now at 6 months old. My rosecombs are quiet as a mouse, but definately fellas (and they are older than the cochins)!

 

[monicawilcox]

My Japanese Fantail started crowing at 2 1/2 months, the Sebright at 2 months, the BBR OEGB at 3 months. They all had red combs and wattles by that time. I was surprised with the Sebright being so young.

 

[granmahen]

My black silkie crowed at 13 weeks but I suspected he was a roo before that. My chickens that turned out to be males tended to have longer wattles than the females at the same age, redder combs (if they get red combs), females stayed yellow longer, or if a black rosecomb like my silkie it is larger than the female. Males also seem to stand more erect, less puffy and soft looking, and when I go to pet my males, they scream and get out of dodge, the females squat down.