My birds. Unsure if one is a boy or girl?

[cmom]

When I got my first flock I was only interested in eggs. Some years later like you I got some chicks from a feed store that were supposed to be females but I did get a male. From then on I have kept the males. I do breed my own birds and around half will be males. I do grow them out and keep the best as my future breeders and sell the rest which helps offset the cost of the feed. As you may have guessed I love to take pictures. Here are some of my past males.

This is a young male I sold to a young girl. She showed him in the youth division and got a champion with him. I love my Reds.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

When I got my first flock I was only interested in eggs. Some years later like you I got some chicks from a feed store that were supposed to be females but I did get a male. From then on I have kept the males. I do breed my own birds and around half will be males. I do grow them out and keep the best as my future breeders and sell the rest which helps offset the cost of the feed. As you may have guessed I love to take pictures. Here are some of my past males.
View attachment 2663342
This is a young male I sold to a young girl. She showed him in the youth division and got a champion with him. I love my Reds.
View attachment 2663345View attachment 2663348View attachment 2663350View attachment 2663351

I love your birds! I used to love reading your contributions to the heritage RIR thread years ago. One of the reasons I eventually got some of my RC RIRs of my own

 

[GalvestonWader]

I just really dont think it's a good idea to keep him. We are first time chicken owners with zero experience. Everything I read on here say roosters can be a challenge, even more so for newbies. And I have no interest in hatching and raising baby chicks.

Plus I only have 3 hens. That's not enough? The rooster will wear them out, correct?

But I do want 4-5 chickens and if I get rid of the cockerel I will only have 3. From reading this site however, it would not be a good idea to try and introduce a single new bird to the flock. Is that accurate?

I guess for now I'll just observe and let them continue to grow and when he reaches maturity figure out what to do with him.

 

[cmom]

I'm not sure where in Texas you are put you could probably sell him at a swap. We have one a couple times a month and I sell the males I don't want to keep. Being new at chicken keeping I don't blame you for not wanting a male and hatching chicks. Some day you might but you can always get another of the breed of your choice should you decide on hatching, I have chicks that were supposed to hatch tomorrow but some decided to hatch today. Again, good luck and have fun with your flock...
https://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Texas_Swap.html

 

[cmom]

I love your birds! I used to love reading your contributions to the heritage RIR thread years ago. One of the reasons I eventually got some of my RC RIRs of my own

I haven't posted there for quite a long time. I love my RC's and SC's. I have never crossed lines and still have my original lines. I have some due to hatch tomorrow.

 

[cmom]

I still have one of my original hens (Lady). She is the last of the originals. She is a bit bent up but still gets around and lays eggs.

 

[cmom]

Here is one of my RC Reds. He didn't get champion but did get Best Variety.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I just really dont think it's a good idea to keep him. We are first time chicken owners with zero experience. Everything I read on here say roosters can be a challenge, even more so for newbies. And I have no interest in hatching and raising baby chicks.

Plus I only have 3 hens. That's not enough? The rooster will wear them out, correct?

But I do want 4-5 chickens and if I get rid of the cockerel I will only have 3. From reading this site however, it would not be a good idea to try and introduce a single new bird to the flock. Is that accurate?

I guess for now I'll just observe and let them continue to grow and when he reaches maturity figure out what to do with him.

I understand about not wanting a rooster. We dont want one either. Thankfully we've never ended up with one but we decided if we ever did then it would be raised then butchered. Of course I understand if some people decide not to do that. I've seen where some people have kept 1 boy to 3-4 females. That will depend on the rooster as none are the same. I would make a plan b just in case it ends up not working out. Butcher, sell, or give away.

 

[GalvestonWader]

Here's some updated pics. Almost 8 weeks old now and are growing fast. Are y'all still thinking the red ones are Production Reds? Also, do you see any other cockerels other than the Gold Laced Cochin?