Is my Polish a Roo, if so what do I do?

[Ghostchick]

I am totally new to chickens. My husband and I live on an acre and wanted to try it out. Plus with two boys we go thru eggs like crazy! So we have 18 we are keeing from McMurray. I just had tokeep the exotic for myself, and not give it to the others who ordered with us. We got all pullets, then the exotic. Now we think that maybe the exotic, who is a White Crested Black Polish, is possibly a roo. And maybe even a bantam. Elvis (with the top feathers I couln't not name it that!) is the smallest of the group. I showed the pic of him to a couple owners at a show that thought it was a roo. So, what do you think? Also, how do I handle the roo and my girls? Does he need a seperate area? They are 3.5 weeks now, and still inside. I didn't plan on having a roo, didn't want the noise. But Elvis is just too cool, we love him, or her...whatever!

 

[gritsar]

Definitely looks like a roo to me. If you can get used to the crowing - and truly I rarely notice my roo crowing anymore - then keep him.
He'll be good protection for your hens and he'll keep them in line (breaking up hen fights, etc). He doesn't need to be housed seperately and in fact would prefer to be with his girls.
There is no difference in the taste or appearance of fertilized eggs (unless you know what you're lookiing for).

 

[Ghostchick]

If it turns out to be a bantam, is that ok to be with the rest also? They've been raised together, they are almost 4 weeks now.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yes bantams and standard chickens can be kept together; many folks do that. I personally think my LF hens would prefer a bantam roo from time to time. My big boy weighs 13 lbs.