I’m supposed to pick up a rooster chick tomorrow but think of if my 16 week “pullets” just crowed.

[SamCO]

As the title says, I have ordered a salmon favorelle rooster chick im supposed to pick up tomorrow. (We have numerous predators and I want the girls to be able to free range, if it doesn’t work out, we’ll eat him. ) My current flock is 8 16 week old pullets. I really thought they were all girls then tonight, I swear I heard one crow. So now trying to figure out if one is a roo. Any raise any red flags? My biggest suspect is my prairie bluebell based on feathering. Think I should hold off on the cockerel chick?

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

@TheOddOneOut

I think I'm seeing multiple roosters, you?

 

[Sussex19]

I didn't notice any that look particularly like cockerels, so I'll be interested to hear the outcome.

 

[NatJ]

My current flock is 8 16 week old pullets. I really thought they were all girls

To me, they all look like pullets.

At 16 weeks, I would expect any cockerels to be very obvious.
I do not see any obvious cockerels in those photos.

 

[Mrs. K]

I could be wrong, but I see three that I am suspicious of. The second bird in the top row, the second bird in the middle row, and the 2nd bird in the third row.

I would not add a rooster until most are laying.

I think I would hold off on getting him til you know for sure.

Mrs K

 

[3KillerBs]

At 16 weeks I'd expect male saddles to be visible and larger combs, but sometimes you get a slow developer.

 

[Mrs. K]

I agree, sometimes you recognize a rooster chick, practically right out of the nest, other times, it is not so clear. The bottom center one, has that rusty coloring, and I think the beginning of the hackles?

And the other two, their tail feathers have a suspicious curve to them to me.

Hope the OP posts backs and clarifies.

There have been times where I did not recognize a rooster, thought for sure I had a very nice pullet...until about now. It can happen.

Mrs K

 

[SmiYa0126]

I could be wrong, but I see three that I am suspicious of. The second bird in the top row, the second bird in the middle row, and the 2nd bird in the third row.

I would not add a rooster until most are laying.

I think I would hold off on getting him til you know for sure.

Mrs K

X2

 

[SamCO]

I’m really at a loss. I guess time will tell. If I end up with multiple roos I suppose we'll just keep the nicest. I had to get on a computer instead of my phone so that I could see the rows. The center bird in the last row is the same as the far right bird in the last row. that's the one I'm most suspicious of, but Its hard to see the shape of the feathers due to the pattern on them. When I actually look at the shape, they don't seem much skinnier or pointier than the others. Also, since prairie bluebells are mixed with leghorn, and it looks like leghorns have really upright tail feathers, I wasn't as concerned. She did have a lot more long tail feathers, but they seem to have fallen out as they all seem to be molting again. Shes also by far the smallest bird, though I know that is not an indicator of gender. The two birds at the top of pecking order are the prairie bluebell and the splash australorp. Thanks for all the input!

 

[Mrs. K]

Know that I could be wrong, it is a bit more tricky looking at a photo.