One Hen, One Rooster

[camunoz0529]

Hello everyone!

I am seeking out advice as a first time chicken owner. I took in two chicks from a school hatching program. Upon realizing that my town did not allow for chickens, I searched for sanctuaries but was turned down by every single one I contacted. Having housed them for the past few months my family and I have obviously become very attached and view them more as pets. It has been suggested to me before to post them on craigslist, but I truly do not feel comfortable giving them to someone unknown.

The two chickens that I have are about 4 months old, and I suspect one is a rooster. I recently purchased a small coop where they will spend most of the day in, but will sleep inside to avoid possible crowing and to not disrupt the neighbors, when the time comes. The suspected roo has yet to crow.

I am playing the situation by ear and if it does not seem feasible throughout the upcoming months I will continue to try to find a suitable and safe home for them. While I understand that many of you will frown upon my choices and I 100% understand why, but at this point I am just seeking out any advice that you may have! Is it possible to keep one hen and one rooster? Has anyone done so successfully? Will the neighbors hear a roosters crow from inside the house?

Thank you!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could you post some side standing shots of the white one. It may be a hen close to laying. Generally most roosters are crowing by 4 months.

 

[Anime2lover]

If I can hear a rooster outside crowing crom my living room, and a rooster several houses down crowing, then yea, your neighbors may be able to hear it. As for only having two, when (if it is) the rooster comes to mating season, it will harrass that single hen so much that itll cause harm. Roosters need a whole flock.

 

[camunoz0529]

Could you post some side standing shots of the white one. It may be a hen close to laying. Generally most roosters are crowing by 4 months.

 

[camunoz0529]

Could you post some side standing shots of the white one. It may be a hen close to laying. Generally most roosters are crowing by 4 months.

I'll post an updated photo tomorrow of him standing, I don't have any recents unfortunately

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Comb looks female to me. Can I see it standing so I can see if it has saddle feathers?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'll post an updated photo tomorrow of him standing, I don't have any recents unfortunately

Okay.

 

[MissChick@dee]

What a dilemma. Cute chickens cute coop and it would be wonderful if you could keep them.
I would start with my circle of friends you never know. Somebody might know somebody looking for chickens to raise as pets or at least give you a good lead.
I hope it all works out for you. Best wishes

 

[Mrs. K]

I thought they both looked like hens too. However, a standing picture would be better. I think if you bought the coop, you probably are keeping them. I will bet that coops says 6 chickens, but really it is a much better size for 2 birds, I would not put more birds in it.

If later you decide or are forced to give them up, often times where you buy feed, will have other people who are chicken people. There are also poultry clubs, or extension offices that can help put you in contact with other chicken people who would be more apt to keep a bird for eggs, instead of eating them.

Mrs K

 

[aart]

Even if they are both females, chickens can make a lot of noise.
Hackle feathers on the white one look mighty maleish to me.
If you have pics of birds at about 6-7 weeks the male would be obvious with redder and larger comb and wattles.

Try posting here on the BST forum:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/#buy-sell-trade.67

or your state chat thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-jersey.537/page-503