I think I already know, but....

[HenOnTheHill]

This is Gwen. "She" is super friendly and sweet, a typical wyandotte. But this weekend, I realized in a sudden burst of terrifying enlightenment that suddenly "she" is looking more like a "he." Am I right? Gwen is in the 20 week range age wise.

The other peculiar thing is that sometime in the last week, the tip of her/his top beak got broken off. This fortunately hasn't affected eating/foraging at all, but I have no idea how it could have happened. I do have another roo (barred rock) who is about the same age, though more developed. Could this type of damage be the result in a duel? I've never witnessed them going at it (yet!) and have not found any other evidence, but I'm trying to piece together the puzzle.




Penny is the hen on the left. Gwen is the ___________? on the right.

 

[Veer67]

Actually Gwen is a rooster, he has the typical rooster wing patch, his comb is also redder and bigger than your pullet's, and I can see saddle feathers.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Actually Gwen is a rooster, he has the typical rooster wing patch, his comb is also redder and bigger than your pullet's, and I can see saddle feathers.

x2
Those red bars on the shoulders and patchiness of coloring (vs. the lacing on the pullet) and the saddle feathers.
Pretty boy.
Lady of McCamley

 

[HenOnTheHill]

Yep, that's what I was afraid of! He is a pretty boy (thanks!)

 

[Wyandottes7]

Sorry, Gwen's a rooster! He has the typical coloring of a male BLRW (darker red coloring on the wing), and I see some saddle feathers. Beautiful bird!

 

[donrae]

He is going to be gorgeous! What a stunning pair they'll make when he's mature.

 

[bantygirl]

Gwen has saddle feathers roo

 

[newbie32]

He is going to be gorgeous! What a stunning pair they'll make when he's mature.

X2! Yes they will be stunning!!!

 

[HenOnTheHill]

Thanks everyone for confirming Mr. Gwen's status as a rooster. He has always been super friendly and I am hoping he and my other roos can sort things out and get along. Right now the count is 11 hens to 3 roos...not very good odds unless two of the roos lay low. As pretty as my barred rock is, and as sweet as my marans is, I think Mr. Gwen would win the beauty pageant. Time will tell. Any ideas on his beak breakage?