one of my girls is a HIM

[chicks n dogs]

This is my first chicken run and i am lost. I prepped and read and read and prepped. I payed extra to make sure I had all hens and now my lady is a crowing. I wanted my girls for egg production and my youngest spawn to begin to show in our local 4-H. Right now we have a small, young flock. 1 bantam (3 months), 1 silkie (5 months), 1 polish (5 months), 1 RIR (5 months) and 1 plymouth (5 months). The Plymouth, Oreo, is the gal who went gender switching on me. She is still very mellow but all of a sudden has begun to crow and her waddle has doubled in size overnight. My gut says to find him a new home as I want my girls for eggs only but now my flock is part of the family. I also don't want to have to introduce another gal or two. Advice or words of wisdom?

 

[devora]

Welcome to BYC! You came to the right place and you'll hear lots of different and interesting POVs on this.

My clubhouse all girls by design. All boys are dispatched either by us or given to someone who will do the deed and enjoy the dish.

While there are some reasons folks might want a roo, no one needs a roo unless you want eggs.

 

[suezqz_64]

Surprise! Maybe let your little one show the roo. They do make impressive birds when their tails come in and a plymouth rock will at least be mild in temperment. It would be so much easier if you could lift their tails to check but you can't. Welcome and happy chickening.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote: A bantam what? A silkie is a bantam, too. A bantam is just a miniature chicken, as opposed to large fowl.

Is your Plymouth Rock a barred color variety or white or what? I love Barred Plymouth Rocks, my favorite actually. Have had several Barred Rock roosters.

 

[chicks n dogs]

Let me try this picture thing to introduce my ladies (and gent) properly. These pictures are about 2 weeks old.

This is Turkey. I was told she was a RIR but am questioning that as she gets older.


This is Peanut Butter the bantam. She was sold in a mixed lot of bantams so I have no clue as to what breed she is.


In the middle you have Mr. Frankenstein.


This is Chuck Norris and his feathered feet of fury. I wonder if she might be a roo also.



and this is Oreo our gender switch hitter.

 

[Glenmar]

 

[naillikwj82]

Little roosters may make small problems, older, bigger roosters may make bigger problems. Just egs for the table = NO Roosters. When you hear the crowing now it may be cute, it gets louder, and more frequent 18 hours a day, starting a 4: a.m.

 

[keesmom]

Let me try this picture thing to introduce my ladies (and gent) properly. These pictures are about 2 weeks old.

This is Turkey. I was told she was a RIR but am questioning that as she gets older.


This is Peanut Butter the bantam. She was sold in a mixed lot of bantams so I have no clue as to what breed she is.


In the middle you have Mr. Frankenstein.


This is Chuck Norris and his feathered feet of fury. I wonder if she might be a roo also.



and this is Oreo our gender switch hitter.

Maybe Turkey is a speckled Sussex? Chuck Norris is a Sultan.

Does Oreo have saddle feathers coming in? To me the comb looks small for a rooster. As for the comb getting red overnight, I would expect a hen's comb to get red around 5 months of age because she's getting ready to lay.

I've also had hens crow.

 

[suezqz_64]

Cute! The BRs are my favorites too. Personally I like to hear the sound of a crowing roo in the morning (as long as it's in the distance and not at my bedside). Like the town crier welcoming in the day. But I'm an early riser myself.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Looks like a Speckled Sussex to me as well.

The BR is a cockerel.