If they squat???

[Defjam]

I've got a bunch of new birds (austrolorps, easter eggers, barred rocks) in the expanded coop and I'm trying (one by one) to figure out what's female and what's headed to the soup pot...Some are already laying at 20-21 weeks, but others haven't been caught in the nesting boxes yet and their sex is otherwise alluding me.

So, excuse the probably been asked a million times question, but if they squat when you place your hand above them like you're reaching to scratch their back...does that absolutely mean they're female?

Thanks ahead of time...

Dj

 

[ChickenAndMore]

Most times it means they are a hen. However I have had a roosters do it once. If you post pics I'm sure someone on here could help you.

 

[mortie]

Probably about as much as crowing means it's absolutely a rooster. Meaning....almost. There are probably roosters here and there that do it so I wouldn't say there has never been a rooster who squatted like a hen.

 

[Defjam]

I'm reluctant to post photos as I'm worried it'll spark an endless "it's a male/no that's a female" debate that goes on for pages, but I will...tomorrow.

They are 20 weeks old at this point, so I'm also willing to wait a few more to see who blurts out a "come and eat me" crow at 5 AM, lol!

Thank you,

Dj

 

[ChickenAndMore]

I understand. lol

 

[Defjam]

My easter eggers won't sit still long enough to capture a picture. I'm getting three green/blue eggs a day now. I've caught two in the nesting boxes, one that looks like a hawk, no beard and really wild leopard like feathering (no pic) and Graycie below. We were blessed with two brown eggs today, so either the barred rocks or the austrolorps are beginning to lay now. Who? I dunno? OK...here's the photos:



Graycie lays blue/green eggs that are smaller, but growing in size as the weeks progress. She started laying at 19 weeks!



Guy is the "squatter", but I think it is obvious...he's a dude! He's been extremely well behaved, quiet and timid. I do believe it is only a matter of time though...







Here's the two I've got my eyes on. Not sure they are actually a she or a he? My daughter swears she saw pip in the nesting box today and we did get our first two small brown eggs later this afternoon. So maybe, pip is a she?!