is my hen doing a good impersonation of a rooster? now with photo!

[suburban]

photo to follow

My 16 week old Australorp has a very red comb (compared to her sister who has practically none) and has just started doing a really distinct "cock-a-doodle-doo" in the morning. I am hoping she is just confused but I think I know she is a he. What else should I look out for? I don't know what saddle feathers are.

I'm heart broken because we are not allowed to keep a rooster where we live so will have to say goodbye to her. What will become of the sister? wont she get lonely?

 

[NoseyChickens]

The comb and waddles would be larger on a roo than a hen. They would also be red much sooner. I asm sorry to say that 16 weeks is about on target to hear some crowing going on. I think you most likely have a rooster. But no one can say for sure without a picture.

 

[suburban]

sorry if these are too big.

 

[silkiechicken]

Sorry, looks like a 16 week old boy there.

 

[Mahonri]

it's a roosta

 

[featherz]

Definitely a roo. My australorp pullet is about 24 weeks and is just barely turning red (no comb or wattles to speak of).

 

[ChickenWisperer]

That is, without any doubt, a roo.

Just look for ads on craigslist, or here, selling chickens. Yes, chickens are social creatures and should never be kept alone unless absolutely necessary. Run out and get her two more sisters

 

[sourland]

More than an impersonation.

With all of those secondary sex characteristics, a for sure cockerel.

 

[featherz]

Just snapped a shot of my (hatchery) australorp to compare. She is 24 weeks and giving me an egg squat just this week . Pretty sure she's a she.

So I think you have a he there.

 

[Pinky]

Looks like a roo to me too. Saddle feathers are the feathers on the chicken's back near the tail. Hackle feathers are the neck feathers. The feathers in the first picture look pointy to me. Look at her back if you can pick it up and take a look at the sadlde feathers. If it's a male the feathers will be pointy and a hens will be more rounded.