Is this 8 week old a Hen or a Roo?

[Bookish_18]

Cornish cross/ cornish mix, was told its a hen, but shows signs its a roo. Large red comb and wattles, tail feathers, and massive legs and feet. Also spur buds are on legs.

 

[nuthatched]

Without any doubt a cockerel

 

[SilverBirds]

Male.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Cockerel

 

[FunClucks]

CX hens are generally still pink at 8 wks. x3 it's a cockerel. Should be tasty once it grows up.

Straight CX cockerels once fully mature can be mean, but commercially they are processed quite a time before that point while they're still docile. Since you have a mix, if you want to keep him, there's a possibility that his temperament might be good. You can wait and see, but try not to get attached in case he turns mean and has to become soup.

What is he mixed with? Disposition of the other breed is what I'd consider, it's a gamble. you really don't know for sure until after they're two. Also from a health perspective, the other parent may help him live past 2 yrs old, CX generally make it only that long or less even with every effort to keep them as pets.

 

[Bookish_18]

CX hens are generally still pink at 8 wks. x3 it's a cockerel. Should be tasty once it grows up.

Straight CX cockerels once fully mature can be mean, but commercially they are processed quite a time before that point while they're still docile. Since you have a mix, if you want to keep him, there's a possibility that his temperament might be good. You can wait and see, but try not to get attached in case he turns mean and has to become soup.

What is he mixed with? Disposition of the other breed is what I'd consider, it's a gamble. you really don't know for sure until after they're two. Also from a health perspective, the other parent may help him live past 2 yrs old, CX generally make it only that long or less even with every effort to keep them as pets.

Not sure the mix, BUT hes already chasing my 25 pound dog. We got him as an inside chicken, so this wont work at all. Plus where I live, roosters are not allowed Im sad about this because I wanted a hen for my girl after her bestie died 2 days ago.

 

[LaFleche]

Looks like a male to me. Inspect the saddle region for pointy and glossy feathers.

 

[AinaWGSD]

Agreed, a comb that bright at 8 weeks has to be a cockerel. On a side note, cornishX do not make good pets. Their rapid growth rate makes them susceptible to heart disease and joint/bone issues, especially if they are not kept on a highly restricted diet. Even with a tightly controlled, strictly monitored, diet most of them still suffer horrible health issues within the first year or two. They have been bred to grow quickly to be harvested early...long term health and longevity isn't a consideration at all.

 

[FunClucks]

Not sure the mix, BUT hes already chasing my 25 pound dog. We got him as an inside chicken, so this wont work at all. Plus where I live, roosters are not allowed Im sad about this because I wanted a hen for my girl after her bestie died 2 days ago.

I'm sorry, I don't think this roo will work for you either. If you have Craigslist where you live, I'd post him in the Farm section - it allows sales of livestock. For about $5 or free, someone will snatch him up. There's a Forum on here where people post questions about the sex of their chickens. If you hang out on there and read the posts, you can learn pretty quickly to tell the difference between hens and roos at various ages, so that you don't get taken advantage of again. I'm 98% sure that whoever sold this bird to you knew it was a roo. Sorry this happened to you.

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

Cockerel. He's beautiful, but will also be delicious. Looks like he's ready to be harvested if that's your plan. Or he could maybe go another 2 weeks.

How on earth do you keep the carpets clean with chickens in the house?! This photo gives me a little anxiety thinking about the impending mess and smell lol. Hopefully they weren't in long!