Is this Delaware really a hen?

[Beastie]

Just wanted to share an updated pic of the little guy. He is definitely starting to act more.... erm, cocky..... everyday. He is a handsome little fellow.



Watching over his ladies.

 

[speckledhen]

Yup, handsome little guy. His comb already seems a tad straighter to me.


Here is one of mine. He is not 100% pure. Each of his parents is 1/2 Delaware, but so far, he's looking pure. He's only 5 weeks old, but I've known for over a week that he was a male.

 

[Beastie]

Wow! The smut between his shoulders is really dark!

 

[Beastie]

When do Dely's start to crow generally?

 

[speckledhen]

I'm not sure there is a general answer for all Delawares. My line is usually attempting to crow by around 8-10 weeks old, but it varies.

 

[Beastie]

Yeah, that seems to be the case with most roosters from my research. Plus if he had tried I would most likely not have even heard it since they're out in the coop.

 

[Beastie]

I just wanted to share an update on my boy. He has won my heart and is here to stay! He's is a handsome little fella and treats his girls well (most of the time). With the decision to keep him came the decision to finally name him (since he was named Athena before I figured out he was a he) so to give him a strong God name to go with all his "Goddess" hens we have named him Odin.

 

[speckledhen]

HA, I knew you'd be hooked if the Dellie personality started coming through!

Hopefully, he will continue to be sweet and easygoing as most all the males I get out of Isaac are. Naturally, it's more of a crap shoot with hatchery stock, however, just a word of advice, if you don't mind. When he gets to hormone stage, over 12-14 weeks old, don't baby him even if it's tempting. Start giving him more space to just be a rooster and do his duties. You'll know what his personality will be once he begins mating the hens--even sweet male chicks can start up with human aggression once the hormones start flowing. If he gets to that age, upwards of 18-22 weeks old, and is still easygoing, you'll probably not have issues with aggression. Isaac's line was bred for temperament so generally, he produces males like himself, but nothing is guaranteed with roosters.

Congratulations to Odin on rating a name! Hopefully, he'll give you years of enjoyment.

 

[Beastie]

I have started to baby him less and less. She. I go out to give them treats the girls are allowed to come get theirs first, if he gets too pushy I will push him back. I am also working on being the "top rooster" so to speak, he is learning to behave while I'm in the coop. If he gives one of the girls attitude while I'm there he gets attitude from me, just a little goose on the bum or a bit of chase.

 

[speckledhen]

Best to just ignore him for the most part when he gets to hormone stage. Yours is not there yet. I handle mine from time to time when they mature just to remind them that I can do it, but these are usually fine being handled all their lives.