Oy Vey - 15 week old chick behavior

[ranchhand]

Yup, that sure looks like a he to me.

 

[The Zoo]

Oh BUGGER then.
When will I know for certain? At the first crow or the first egg?
So far no crowing and she/he makes the same baby cluck noises Tikka does.

 

[sherrydeanne]

Get me a shot of that tail and we can tell you for certain now. I'd give it 98% male even without seeing the tail.

 

[Clay In Iowa]

Quote:
Don't be so sure about that. There are several breeds were the cocks and hens look like they are from different planets... Blue wheaten Amraucanas and Salmon Faverolles pop to mind

 

[The Zoo]

Just found this - this seems to be what Masala does to poor Tikka...well I do live in the Bay Area....

Much more interesting is lesbian activity between chickens. Not so violent as chicken heterosexuality, lesbianism in chickens results when the dominant hen mates with the attractive underling. We have observed some curious configurations in the field. The dominant chicken might mount "the grump", (usually the same chicken gets this honor every time), while the other chickens circle quickly around, become rigid and stare intensely at the dominant chicken, acting as supports or balance points so that it will not topple over during "the act" (whatever that is for lesbian chickens...) You too may notice some rather organized lesbian activity in a flock comprised only of hens. This is normal. They're not really hurting each other, though at times it may appear so. Apparently they all find it entertaining

 

[Clay In Iowa]

It's known in the absence of a cock the dominant hen will take on the role of leader. Even crowing .

But that soooo looks like a roo, to me

 

[The Zoo]

try getting a chicken to stay in one place when you want to take a picture!

 

[sherrydeanne]

I know, it's like asking a kid to hold still LOL. He's a boy, sorry. Promise. 100% roo. All those tail feathers pointing down just verify it.

 

[The Zoo]

Shoot - wonder i my neighbor will take him eventually - leaves poor Tikka all alone though. How could the feedstore mess up like that????

 

[valentinebaby]

Probably wasn't the feed store, instead I'd blame it on the hatchery they purchased the chicks from that messed up. My feed store gets theirs from Ideal, but they order in such quantity they get them cheaper that us small flockers. Almost all can only guarantee 95% rate. One reason I purchased from a local breeder is that she would take back any rooster if I didn't want it, but all of mine are girls. You shouldn't have trouble re-homing him - I think he's very pretty!