How to find my roo

[chicken farmer MD]

Another newbie question. I got my 8 rir at 8 weeks. They are now 18 weeks, I am starting to get eggs and I got a roo making all kinds of racket in the morning. The problem is when I walk down to the hen house in the morning, he shuts up and and all I hear is the ladies purring. How can I figure out which one is making all the noise? I know pictures would help, but I have a hard time knowing which one is which, they all look the same to me! One is bigger than the rest and likes to puff up and approach me when I go into the pen. Is this my tough guy? Help!

 

[bethandjoeync]

pics would help

also, if they all look the same and one doesn't really stand out as far as feathering and all, you may have a dominant hen instead of a roo. she would take the place of a roo, and probably not even lay eggs, but could crow (sort of) and do roo-ish things. takes some pics and we can help you figure it out.

 

[wolfie]

Quote:
I agree if by now you can't tell them apart you may have a dominant hen like bethandjoeync posted

 

[chicken farmer MD]

here are my suspects. Pic 1 and 3 has different colored feathers around the neck, and the other one in Pic 2 is the one that challanges me when I come into the yard. What do you gusy think??

Thanks!!

 

[lucyq22]

What we did to confirm our "oops it's a boy" rooster was to pull him out into the tractor while leaving the ladies in the coop. Once we pulled him out, all the fussin' about died down. He still hasn't crowed while we were there to see it... but by separating him from the gals, it was pretty obvious.

And I'm a complete newbie to sexing chicks, but your middle pic looks more like a 'roo IMHO. Bigger wattle, broader chest, puffier tail....

 

[Goose and Fig]

Does #2 have any green/black tail feathers yet?
The one that puffs up has got to be him. RIR roos can be a little agressive. Mine is now over 1 yr old- and if you aren't always aware of where he is, he jumps on your back. I've had to rescue the kids numerous times beause he had them cornered.

The funny thing is- when I bring treats, he is super sweet and won't take anything until all the girls get some. Good roo- despite the "scary" factor.

 

[chicken farmer MD]

# 2 does not have any greeen feathers. All 8 have black feathers starting to grow in the rear end. They are 5 months old. The only difference I could see was the neck feathers on #1 and 3 (the same bird). I am starting to think they are all hens with a dominant one in the mix. still taking sugestions all, please let me know what you think.

 

[Fuzzypea]

My best guess is that you have a dominant hen...
But you might wanna look closer at the chicken in pic#2. He/she has a bigger, dark red crest, brighter feathers, and looks bigger to me,
(the features of a rooster) but maybe its just the way you took the pic.

 

[becky3086]

I don't see any roos in your pictures.

 

[ArizonaDesertChicks]

All 3 look like hens to me. If they're old enough to lay eggs, the males should already have pointed hackle & sickle feathers.