New to chicken raising, is my chicken a rooster?

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Finny303

Finny303

In the Brooder
5 Years
Jun 20, 2014
30
0
24
Hello! Two months ago we got 10 chickens, 6 white, 2 tan, one bard rock. The bard rock is much bigger than the others and also has a red thing on the head and chin ? Cone? So how will I know if this bird is a rooster? Will I just wake up one day and hear the cock-a-doodle-doo? We got the birds for eggs. The seller told us she was sure all of the birds were hens but she could not promise the bard rock was. We have small children so just worry about the rooster around them. (If it even is a rooster. They free range in the fenced in back yard during the day and in the coop at night. Any advice about how to tell if it is a rooster would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much! :) have posted a pic of the bird.
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Things to look for in a roo include noticeably larger and redder combs and wattles, flowing hackle (neck) and saddle (back) feathers, and they will develop spurs above their back toe. I'm guessing this bird has a much bigger comb and wattles than the others, correct? This is the first sign for males. He will then start to practice crowing, which can take place at a variety of ages (anywhere from 3 to 6 months give or take).
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! LRH97 gave you some good pointers for figuring out if your chick is a roo. You can post pictures of the bird in the What Breed/Gender forum for help figuring out what you have https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/15/what-breed-or-gender-is-this Can't see the picture very well, but if that bird is eight weeks old it does look like a rooster from the amount of pink comb/wattle and light color.
 
Welcome to BYC!
That Barred Rock looks like a young rooster to me.
With a female, you wouldn't be able to tell very well where her tail feathers start from, with the male in your picture you can definitely see where the tail feathers start from and where the saddle feathers (back feathers) end.
 
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Welcome to BYC!

Pretty bird! This bird does look a bit like a cockerel, but it is a bit hard to tell from this pic.

Good luck and I hope she stays a she.
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Welcome to our flock!
 
I agree - male - look at the thick legs holding him up. If you don't intend to hatch chicks, you don't need a rooster. I know some people love to have them around but, I would worry since you mention children. Some roosters get very aggressive when they reach sexual maturity. Children are lower to the ground and easier for them to attack - if so inclined.
 

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