New Hampshire reds about 12 weeks

[Birdsong 82]

OK. I’ve been questioning these New Hampshire rides since they were six weeks old. They are 12 weeks now want to know what you think. Beyond this when I came out this morning the two of them were running around bulling all the others. At first it was just picking fights and chest bumping but then I saw one jump on top of one of the Easter eggers and bite the back of her neck. I put the two of them in a dog kennel by themselves. They’re the only ones being aggressive so whether they are hen Or a rooster I need to find a way to let this not happen. I’ve never had a problem with chickens acting like this towards each other. Thanks for any thoughts

 

[Birdsong 82]

Sorry the first three pictures are of one and the second two are the other. I have half a mind to put them in the other run with my adult Rhode Island Reds.

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

The first I would say cockerel. Not certain on the second.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Yeah I was suspecting something about them since they were about six weeks old and now I’m getting very skeptical. We made sure not to get straight run and to get pullets... but you know. The aggressiveness is throwing me off. I have a rooster but he’s a very gentle man. I hope neither are but I really hope it would be only one because my rooster does not share his ladies. He’s a gamer start and will not allow another man on his territory I know I can find a home for one or two might be a little more difficult

 

[Birdsong 82]

Obviously I will wait a little longer to see. As long as they don’t start getting aggressive towards each other now I’m not sure how to calm that down

 

[Birdsong 82]

Any second opinions?

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Both of the ones in the first picture look they may be cockerels. The one with the smaller comb looks to have some pretty pointy hackle feathers. I don't see any male specific feathers on the other yet, so it could just be a faster maturing hen. You should hopefully know in a few more weeks. Do you know if they're the same breed? Can you get a full body shot of each of them? That might help.

 

[8 Chicks 1967]

you're good, pretty hens I might add. At 12 weeks with no more color in the combs and no male feathering present. They should darken up about week 16,17.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I have course I am going to wait to find out for sure before I make any real decisions. Unless they keep acting like this. I put them in their own smaller area and they are not happy with their new status. But I can’t have them beating up on the other ones. They’re almost a week younger than the other ones. I’ll try to get a better body shot. One specifically is a real big jerk

 

[Birdsong 82]