I think it's a he

[Stephan222]

I have 5 chickens 17 weeks old all bought as day old sexed hens .One of them is a lot larger full bright red comb very bold in nature .Almost aggressive .The rest of the birds are passive calm smaller in size smaller combs .Today when I opened the coop to water the bird in ? Was Air crowing meaning No noise but going through the motions . Any opinions

 

[austin.ray22]

Do you have a photo of the suspect?

 

[Jacklynn]

Sounds like a roo to me... pics please !

 

[Stephan222]

I'll have to post one Ive had a strong suspision for awhile . It's to bad cause this chicken has a great personality but if she is a he
I can't keep him . I live in a neighborhood .

 

[Stephan222]

By the way the breed is a Australorp

 

[Mrs. Feathers]

By 17 weeks your Australorp cockerels should really be showing as boys and looking quite different from your pullets.

Here is one at 18 weeks for your comparison if you are unable to submit a photo.
Hope it helps.
My girls started getting quite red in the comb at about that age but did not lay for another 5 or 6 weeks. The crowing actions sound suspect though.

 

[math ace]

I have a Speckled sussex who went through the crowing motions - - - I couldn't tell if it was a he or she, if it was sick, or what. . .
I had a friend come over and watched the crazy bird do the crowing and said - yep it is a roo.

The roo has since laid an egg

She doesn't do the crowing stuff anymore. That stopped when she got mature enough for our roo to mount her. She is very out going and I don't know if she was trying to be a alpha hen or what - - - but she is normal now!

It was strange

and has NEVER happened with any of my other birds

 

[Stephan222]

My other Australorp hens are not even close to size and they aren't even close in comparison in comb size

 

[Stephan222]

For what reason would a chicken mock crow if it was Sick .

 

[math ace]

Quote:
that is a VERY good indicator that she is a HE. .. .. You might want to hold onto him as long as possible. He could do some mating for you and then you could hatch out a batch of australorp chicks for next year . . . .