New chicken owner - help is this a hen or a rooster?? approximately 8 weeks or so old

[Toddrick]

You're never 100% sure until they crow or lay an egg. I still think it is a cockerel.

May be true, but if you've raised your own from egg before it's not to difficult to be 99% sure most of the time.

In this case I would really like to hear an experts' opinion though.

 

[7KardashiHens]

Thank you! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Thank you all so much!!!!
OK, I've gone back and calculated and from the time pictured above as chicks, (when I got them), until now has been about 10 weeks so maybe they are about 12 weeks?? Would that make a difference on all the thoughts that it's a rooster?

Hens only start to develop red combs when they turn four and a half to five months old, so if yours is only 10-12 weeks old it is definitely a cockerel.

 

[Michael OShay]

Hens only start to develop red combs when they turn four and a half to five months old, so if yours is only 10-12 weeks old it is definitely a cockerel.

Agreed; pullets combs turn red shortly before they begin laying.

 

[Toddrick]

Agreed; pullets combs turn red shortly before they begin laying.

I agree with the comb assessment, but doesn't this feathering look like a hen? Is this not a NH or Red? Am I just remembering wrong, or are most chicks a lot smaller (and showing male feathering) at 8 weeks?

 

[Michael OShay]

I agree with the comb assessment, but doesn't this feathering look like a hen? Is this not a NH or Red? Am I just remembering wrong, or are most chicks a lot smaller (and showing male feathering) at 8 weeks?

If I were making an assessment based on just the feathering, I would guess pullet on this one; and it may still turn out to be a pullet. But that comb appears to me to be saying cockerel and I would be surprised if it's lying. )

 

[Toddrick]

If I were making an assessment based on just the feathering, I would guess pullet on this one; and it may still turn out to be a pullet. But that comb appears to me to be saying cockerel and I would be surprised if it's lying. )

Okay, at least I'm not going crazy. I think I'll go ahead and guess that it is a very rapidly developing pullet then, since the ridicule should be minimal. The comb is not bright red, and the wattles are not beyond hen size (yet). Based on the size it really appears to be a very rapid grower, and to me that means if it were a male it would have more male feathering.

 

[Michael OShay]

Okay, at least I'm not going crazy. I think I'll go ahead and guess that it is a very rapidly developing pullet then, since the ridicule should be minimal.

The comb is not bright red, and the wattles are not beyond hen size (yet). Based on the size it really appears to be a very rapid grower, and to me that means if it were a male it would have more male feathering.

LOL! Time will definitely tell on this one. It's birds like this one that keep us from having perfect records when it comes to assessing gender. )

 

[harlanchickens]

I think I'm going to agree with toddrick, I believe you a hen, and pretty one at that. The hackle feathers at the base of the neck is rounded not long and pointy like a rooster, but I'm no expert!