Is this a rooster or a hen?

[Feathered_babies]

Welcome to BYC!
Sorry, you have a cockerel.

Thanks !Not what I wanted to hear! My little students and I have grown so attached to his spunky personality and he's very smart.

 

[Feathered_babies]

Yes, hens will develope wattle and comb once they get closer to laying. At 8 weeks yours is no where near laying. Plus, it's a boy so he wont ever be laying. Heres some of my 2 month old hens. You can see they still has a very small and pale comb and no wattles.

Thanks for explaining it in much detail and sharing your pictures. It definitely helps.

 

[Dephora]

Thanks for explaining it in much detail and sharing your pictures. It definitely helps.

Sorry, about the news. Sometimes it isn't so bad if you live someplace where you can even consider keeping them. It stinks your city doesn't give you that option. That bird is a real looker.

 

[aglandaetap]

Cockerel

 

[Feathered_babies]

I spoke with my local feed shop here. They said its too early to say if its a roo or a hen. Also that a tell take sign is a spur on a roo which usually develops at 3 months. There is not even a bumb on her claw yet for the spur so I will wait for another month before I make a decision. Thank you everyone for your feed back.

 

[Dephora]

I spoke with my local feed shop here. They said its too early to say if its a roo or a hen. Also that a tell take sign is a spur on a roo which usually develops at 3 months. There is not even a bumb on her claw yet for the spur so I will wait for another month before I make a decision. Thank you everyone for your feed back.

Just a heads up, unsure who you talked to at the feedstore. But many hens do get spurs as well, so that isn't a good method for sexing a chicken.

Also, it isn't unusual for a cockerel to not develop a spur until even 8-9months of age. But! Yeah, there is absolutely nothing wrong with waiting longer until you are positive. I say hold on to it until the neighbors complain about the crowing.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I spoke with my local feed shop here. They said its too early to say if its a roo or a hen. Also that a tell take sign is a spur on a roo which usually develops at 3 months. There is not even a bumb on her claw yet for the spur so I will wait for another month before I make a decision. Thank you everyone for your feed back.

They're wrong. My 7 pullets developed spurs at 3 weeks old. I would make arrangements if you cant keep him because it will suck if you have to find him a home last minute.

And I'm not saying hes a cockerel just because of the red wattles and comb (which are a huge sign) but he has huge thick legs and his coloring indicate boy as well.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I spoke with my local feed shop here. They said its too early to say if its a roo or a hen. Also that a tell take sign is a spur on a roo which usually develops at 3 months. There is not even a bumb on her claw yet for the spur so I will wait for another month before I make a decision. Thank you everyone for your feed back.

By 3 months he'll probably be crowing also. I'm sure hes started trying already.