Is she or isn't she..a she? RIR hen or roo?

[CityChicks501]

Hello everyone. New here and new to backyard chicken rearing as of this week! About a week ago we purchased eight (alleged) Rhode Island Red hens from a local poultry farm. The guy has been doing this for decades, has a nice web site, etc. And us being total newbies completely relied on our trust in him. He said they were all near or a little over a year old. We are skeptical about some of the ages based on research we've done, but they are laying pretty good so that's not as much of an issue. One in particular has seemed to stand out though. This one is clearly younger than the rest, a really small comb, not as fat as the rest of the girls, but has really big legs and feet! We're starting to wonder if it might be a rooster? It also has prettier feathers and doesn't hang out with the crowd too much. I would think if it is near the age the man said it would be completely obvious by now right? The only thing he said when we contacted him was, you'll know when it crows. I'm hoping this is just a young hen that hasn't filled out yet. Thanks for any advice! Sarah

 

[Rubysword]

It does look more like a rooster with it's saddle feathers. Those chickens are definitely younger that a year old. Our hens who were born in march are bigger than those.

 

[azygous]

She's a "he".

The more colorful feathers alone would tell you. That the neck and saddle feathers are tending toward pointy shape is another big clue, as are the big legs and feet. He's all but screaming, "Hey! I'm a cockerel!"

 

[MissNutmeg]

Hello there and welcome to BYC! Hmmm, it appears that you just might have a rooster! Although I may be wrong.

 

[sue25]

View attachment 1167553 View attachment 1167555 View attachment 1167556 View attachment 1167557 Hello everyone. New here and new to backyard chicken rearing as of this week! About a week ago we purchased eight (alleged) Rhode Island Red hens from a local poultry farm. The guy has been doing this for decades, has a nice web site, etc. And us being total newbies completely relied on our trust in him. He said they were all near or a little over a year old. We are skeptical about some of the ages based on research we've done, but they are laying pretty good so that's not as much of an issue. One in particular has seemed to stand out though. This one is clearly younger than the rest, a really small comb, not as fat as the rest of the girls, but has really big legs and feet! We're starting to wonder if it might be a rooster? It also has prettier feathers and doesn't hang out with the crowd too much. I would think if it is near the age the man said it would be completely obvious by now right? The only thing he said when we contacted him was, you'll know when it crows. I'm hoping this is just a young hen that hasn't filled out yet. Thanks for any advice! Sarah

Looks like a roo to me hackles and saddle feathers.

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with @azygous. He's a young cockerel, just now starting to develop his secondary sexual characteristics (chicken puberty). If you don't want a cockerel, I'd suggest that you take him back for refund or exchange if the breeder assured you that they were all pullets.

 

[theoldchick]

That last photo shows definite characteristics of a very young cockerel.

 

[TattooedChicks]

Lovely little cockerel!

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Cockerel.

 

[Gray Farms]

That's a cockerel, 6 months tops in age.