New to Chickens - Question(s)

[21hens-incharge]

Ah maaaaannnn. They like keeping you running don't they? They will figure it out. They can be rather stubborn about old habits.

That chick...... Depending on age could still be female. I don't see any tell tale rooster feathers. Those would be the hackle (neck) or saddle ( just in front of the tail). In a rooster they are pointy in a hen they are rounded. Looking at the size I think they are about 16 to 20 weeks old. Some males get those feathers late BUT that face and comb are telling my female.

Since you already have a rooster if this one is male he may not crow. No need to draw attention to himself and all that.

As to breed these escape me.

 

[21hens-incharge]

He sure acts more like a male. I decided to let them sort it out themselves during the day. We will see how things go tonight. Here's some better pics.

View attachment 1169297 View attachment 1169299 View attachment 1169300 View attachment 1169301

Well somehow I missed your earlier post today.

In that first pic that bird does have draped feathers in front of the tail...... Kinda rooster like but in all the others it looks female.

Have you posted the pics in the what breed/general thread? There are some folks in there that I am pretty sure can identify the breed and have lots of young rooster experience.
Here is a link in case you want it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/what-breed-or-gender-is-this.15/

They got me scratching my head.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Well somehow I missed your earlier post today.

In that first pic that bird does have draped feathers in front of the tail...... Kinda rooster like but in all the others it looks female.

Have you posted the pics in the what breed/general thread? There are some folks in there that I am pretty sure can identify the breed and have lots of young rooster experience.
Here is a link in case you want it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/what-breed-or-gender-is-this.15/

They got me scratching my head.

Yes, I started a thread on that forum too. I will just be glad when they all learn where they live and can get along nicely. I am a bit frustrated actually. I was just getting to where Chicky & Roo were back out to free ranging during the day and going to their new coop at night and then there are FOUR and I feel like we are starting over.

At least they all seemed calmer today - until I had to get the net out and shake them out of the trees LOL.

 

[Enchanted1s]

Just thought I would post an update. Today, I decided it was time for me to let these four sort thing out for themselves and to get out of the way. For the most part - whenever the bigger baby would see Roo - he would run to his cage and cower in the corner. I noticed last night, that most of the evening (I was working on a gravity water system), the babies stayed in their cage - with the door open. But - when bed time came, the bigger one wanted OUT! The little one did not want to share a perch and they were fighting amongst themselves when I left them for the night. Today, the babies kept their distance from the older ones. I did have to go behind the fence to catch the bigger one and bring him back to the yard once. The babies had been content in their cage for quite some time, but when it was time for bed, same pattern as last night - big one wanted OUT! So, tonight - I opened the door to the cage and soon all four were free in the coop - BUT, the older two immediately went to their nest box. The babies picked a corner in the coop (the same corner they had chosen before I got the cage set up). I didn't know if I should shut the door to the nest box or not. It is supposed to get down to 38 degrees tonight. I waited a bit - the babies seemed like they were going to roost there in that corner. I did shut the coop door. When everyone has adjusted to each other, would it be OK to leave that nest door open at night?

In addition to the gravity fed water system, I also added a ladder so they can enter and exit directly from the nest box - if they want to. Chicky continues to leave us one nice sized egg a day. She is using the red laying box that I put up for her. She seems to like sleeping in the other laying box (that is attached to the nest box).

 

[21hens-incharge]

I think in the future when everyone is adjusted the door can be left open.
I get very cold here sometimes staying well below zero for days on end. I also have predator issues so I close mine up tight.
This morning we were just 15 degrees.

Just a bit ago the dogs ran a raccoon out of the yard. Second one this evening or a bold second attempt.

I am glad they are working things out.

Looks like she is inspecting the handy work!

 

[Enchanted1s]

She is such a good Hen! She actually climbed up in there when I just had one stick propped up there to climb. Other than her ONE night that she wanted to roost in the trees instead of going inside her nest box - she has done everything I hoped she would do (except let me hold her). Roo is getting more use to us - but he still will not let me touch him (I did get to touch a tail feather tonight!). Chicky will NOT let me touch her either.

I really hope that that big baby is NOT another rooster. If he is - he may have to fly back over the fence from which he came! He has the beginning of a comb - the littler one does not.