If it crows....

[Taebird]

I have my first small flock of chicks (almost 2 months old). We've heard some suspicious crow-like sounds coming from them over the past week, and caught my favorite (sweetest and most gentle) cochin in the act of an "ir- ir- ir!" this morning. Is there ANY way it could still be a hen, or is it most certainly a rooster?

 

[sourland]

Dollars will get ya doughnuts it's a rooster. Sorry.

 

[Taebird]

Aww, man! Well... thanks nevertheless for your answer! Perhaps I can introduce another cochin or two with relative ease, because they are still fairly young....

 

[sourland]

Wait until you are sure before relocating this bird. If he is indeed a rooster secondary sex characteristics should also be appearing: larger comb, pointy saddle and hackle feathers, longer flowing tail.

 

[Taebird]

I had noticed it has a very pronounced comb, and "poofier" tail, but my other chickens are different breeds, and I wasn't sure if those could be breed characteristics... perhaps just my wishful thinking. I will hang onto him until he absolutely HAS to leave!

 

[sniemeyer]

I know exactly how you feel, I've been living in denial for the past 6 months about my rooster... It's almost time to give him up. They seem to be more social and easy-going.

 

[motherx3]

I have a rooster in with my hens, keeps prey down, also seems to keep squabbling down. I pull eggs every day and no difference in taste.
Why not keep him

 

[Taebird]

Unfortunately I live in a subdivision, and worry about neighbor complaints... here's a picture of my little sweetie...

 

[leenie]

Rooster, sorry.

 

[Taebird]

Bugger... Ah, well... guess we'll be trying to find a new 'ODB' for the Wu Tang Chix. Thanks for all the input!