I'm horrified with my buff, please help

[diamondie]

I got my hens from a local store in March, some were one week apart and I got them in the span of 3 weeks. My golden buff orpington was the friendliest one and the most bold. I noticed she grew quicker and today I may have heard some minor crowing. I am absolutely horrified at the possibility of her being a rooster because we are not allowed to have them and this is my kids favorite chicken that swings on the hammock with them and walks with them and just the friendliest chicken. Please tell me how I can figure this out

 

[SmiYa0126]

Looks like a cockerel...

 

[Gobekli Pepe]

Yeah, that's a rooster. Not sure what you should do about him, but it's a shame if you can't keep him. Might see what the feed store can do? They might take responsibility, or might buy him off you. I sell my extra roos to the local feed store, they don't pay much, but it gets them off my hands.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

He is a cockerel. I'm so sorry you can't keep him. Boldness is often an early indicator of a chick being male, accompanied by being perceived as super friendly because of how bold they are. Now that he's older, this can be confirmed by the fact that he's growing in the glossy, pointed saddle feathers of a male around the base of his tail, and his tail feathers are also draping as a male's would. And, while hens can crow rarely, this generally only occurs when they are older, well above a year old. If it's any consolation, I don't see any other males in your pictures.

 

[LabMomma]

Definitely cockeral

 

[WallyG74]

Cockerel

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Oh no, I am sorry to say that he is a cockerel!!

 

[azygous]

Finding out one of your "pullets" is a cockerel can feel a lot like being told you have an deadly virus in your flock. Yeah, I pucker up with anxiety every time I have pullets reaching the age of six to eight weeks when the first signs of a cockerel may appear.

You need to face it. You have a rookie-roo. It may seem like the end of the world, but there are many advantages to having a rooster in your flock. I will enumerate them so as to help you counter your initial horror over this turn of events.

1.Roosters are highly entertaining critters.
2.They are great protectors of the hens.
3.They add ambiance to your mornings with their charming crowing.
4.They represent the possibility of producing your own free baby chicks and a great way to expand your flock.
5.They add a lot of color to the environment.

Alternatives to keeping a roo include:
1.Rehoming him.
2.Soup.

In case you decide to keep him, here are tips on raising a good roo. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/i-think-i-have-a-cockerel-now-what-do-i-do.76274/

 

[diamondie]

Finding out one of your "pullets" is a cockerel can feel a lot like being told you have an deadly virus in your flock. Yeah, I pucker up with anxiety every time I have pullets reaching the age of six to eight weeks when the first signs of a cockerel may appear.

You need to face it. You have a rookie-roo. It may seem like the end of the world, but there are many advantages to having a rooster in your flock. I will enumerate them so as to help you counter your initial horror over this turn of events.

1.Roosters are highly entertaining critters.
2.They are great protectors of the hens.
3.They add ambiance to your mornings with their charming crowing.
4.They represent the possibility of producing your own free baby chicks and a great way to expand your flock.
5.They add a lot of color to the environment.

Alternatives to keeping a roo include:
1.Rehoming him.
2.Soup.

In case you decide to keep him, here are tips on raising a good roo. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/i-think-i-have-a-cockerel-now-what-do-i-do.76274/

I would love to keep him. Sadly local ordinances won't allow it and I'm sure the crowing would get reported by someone. I do appreciate all the responses although not what I was hoping to hear

 

[Mrs. K]

If your kids are young, it may be a blessing in disguise. Often times the darling becomes the nightmare, and generally attack children first.

Inexperienced people do not pick up on the signs of aggression, because it tends to look like friendliness, until it doesn't. Chickens equate fear with respect, and if they are not afraid of you, they don't respect your space and are not afraid to attack you. They are not like puppies.

Mrs K