Lots of disagreement!

[Chuckkeeper]

Yes they are essentially free range (but fenced over half an acre!)

 

[LaFleche]

Yes they are essentially free range (but fenced over half an acre!)

I suppose you do have an adult rooster with the flock?

 

[Frazzemrat1]

True for a cross too? Here's one of the younger versions.. same cross

This looks like a pullet, at that age. The male coloring usually doesn't come in until the adult feathers come in, around 12 weeks.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

I suppose you do have an adult rooster with the flock?

On site, yes - several - but not with physical access to the chick pens.

 

[LaFleche]

On site, yes - several - but not with physical access to the chick pens.

That would explain the rather late maturing of your cockerels.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

Ooh. Explain more please, if you don't mind!

That would explain the rather late maturing of your cockerels.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Ooh. Explain more please, if you don't mind!

When you have a dominant, or adult, rooster or cockerel, the younger cockerels mature more slowly... perhaps to not draw attention from the dominant or adult. Male chickens can be very territorial, especially with resources and their females. That's the reason they crow. Its to claim territory. Your young cockerels haven't crowed yet, I'm sure... for fear that the rooster will come flog them for their audacity.

 

[LaFleche]

Ooh. Explain more please, if you don't mind!

With chicks kept by themselves without adults (rooster), the cockerels will mature faster and their combs and wattles will show bigger and redder at a younger age. Provided it is a single comb breed.

They will start crowing at a very young age, some at 5 weeks already.

 

[Chuckkeeper]

Aha. Understood! Thanks so much for your responses.

 

[Mylied]

In the last 2 weeks or so.

I don't think they're cockerels. I'll be the odd one out. Please update in a couple months.