Is Dora really Donald? How and when to re-home the rooster

[Tude]

Well of course my sweetest, smartest, most loving and friendly chick is probably a rooster. So much for spending the bucks on a 99% sex guarantee, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Of my 7 chicks, one died, now at least one is a rooster. From a number standpoint I really only wanted 4 or 5 hens, so this works, but Dora (now Donald) has broken my heart. The good news is if she is indeed a he, I have friend locally with a large flock on several acres that would love nothing more than a nice Black Copper Marans rooster. So my question is, am I right (picture taken is at 4 weeks)? And secondly, what would be the best age to transition him out of my mini flock to his new home with a large free range flock?

 

[Jener8or]

Yes, that's a cockerel. I would wait until he is at least 8-12 weeks old, and fairly close to their size. Hopefully your friend will have a good plan to integrate him (the see but not touch method works well) and he merges nice with his new flock!

 

[Evadig]

Well of course my sweetest, smartest, most loving and friendly chick is probably a rooster. So much for spending the bucks on a 99% sex guarantee, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Of my 7 chicks, one died, now at least one is a rooster. From a number standpoint I really only wanted 4 or 5 hens, so this works, but Dora (now Donald) has broken my heart. The good news is if she is indeed a he, I have friend locally with a large flock on several acres that would love nothing more than a nice Black Copper Marans rooster. So my question is, am I right (picture taken is at 4 weeks)? And secondly, what would be the best age to transition him out of my mini flock to his new home with a large free range flock?

I think sometimes the hatchery will refund you if they accidentally give you a male and you had paid for guaranteed females.
Fourteen weeks is a good time to rehome.

 

[Ridgerunner]

So my question is, am I right (picture taken is at 4 weeks)?

With that comb and wattles plus upright posture and body conformation, you have a boy.

And secondly, what would be the best age to transition him out of my mini flock to his new home with a large free range flock?

When does your friend want to receive him? They put them in the mail from hatcheries, he can go at any time. What is your friend willing to deal with?

Well of course my sweetest, smartest, most loving and friendly chick is probably a rooster.

From your standpoint the sooner he is gone the better. Not only do you have to pay to feed him but the longer he is there the more attached you are likely to become and the harder it will be to let him go.