Is this booted bantam a rooster??

[chuckachucka]

This is my 5 month old (22 weeks) booted bantam. From an early age i thought it was a pullet but recent feather and comb development has me confused.

She/he is a bit of an oddball because she has one slightly crooked leg and curled toes on that leg, issues which gradually came on from about 3-5 weeks old and i never knew why.

Apart from the leg issue that makes her walk a bit slow and can't jump well, she is healthy. Eats and poops normally etc.
Currently in the process of moulting out the last baby feathers and regrowing a lot of new feathers, so looks very scruffy.

HOWEVER - despite looking very male recently, this chicken has never attempted to crow. Never attempted to mount the definitely female pullets from the same hatch. Never makes the treat calling noises that roosters make. Rarely makes any kind of danger warning calls.

So is it a rooster? And if yes, what's wrong with him??

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So is it a rooster? And if yes, what's wrong with him??

It's a cockerel.. he has male saddle feathers.. He's just developing at a slower pace.. doesn't mean anything is wrong per say.

Some roosters have crowed as late as 18 months in my personal experience.. flock dynamics plus individual personality makes for a wide range of what's "normal".

I've also had some start crowing as early as 3 weeks old.. But wait it gets better.. I've had hens crowing! Hens can and do also grow spurs.. and some with a damaged ovary may grow in male saddle feathers.. also worth noting that there are some henny feathered breeds.. and self fertilization of eggs known as parthenogesis.. is also possible.. not usually viable but sometimes resulting in live offspring.. most often sterile and male.

Handsome fella!

 

[Farmgirl283420]

This is my 5 month old (22 weeks) booted bantam. From an early age i thought it was a pullet but recent feather and comb development has me confused.

She/he is a bit of an oddball because she has one slightly crooked leg and curled toes on that leg, issues which gradually came on from about 3-5 weeks old and i never knew why.

Apart from the leg issue that makes her walk a bit slow and can't jump well, she is healthy. Eats and poops normally etc.
Currently in the process of moulting out the last baby feathers and regrowing a lot of new feathers, so looks very scruffy.

HOWEVER - despite looking very male recently, this chicken has never attempted to crow. Never attempted to mount the definitely female pullets from the same hatch. Never makes the treat calling noises that roosters make. Rarely makes any kind of danger warning calls.

So is it a rooster? And if yes, what's wrong with him?? View attachment 3859040View attachment 3859041

He’s so beautiful

 

[chuckachucka]

Thanks! I was pretty sure those feathers were a sure sign of a male. But all my previous roosters have all crowed so much earlier. Never had a rooster start later than 3 months. However this is the only male i have at present.
Also, this one is quite friendly with me but is generally a big scaredy pants, not at all brave lol. I suppose his hormone levels are a bit low. I was just wondering if it could be related to the leg issue?
He seems well enough, just a bit slow.
His name is Marzipan, but i say Marzi most often.
I'm actually really happy he's a boy because i had a rooster of the same breed and colour a few years ago who was an absolute angel. He died of cancer at 4 years old. It would be lovely to have another roo just like him.