Phoenix chicken

[David]

I received a free chicken with my order of 25 females from McMurrary Hatchery. It was a silver phoenix and I am very worried this 8 week old bird may be a male. I can not have males. How can I ID this thing? I am new to this forum and put this under feeding time by accident.

 

[Fuzzbutt]

Hi,
I also cannot have Roos because of my nasty neighbors. One way to find out is to just hang in there until he/she is about 5 months old and if it crows....well, you get the picture. Just don't destroy him if he turns out to be a Roo. They are very easy to give away.

Good luck, John aka Fuzzbutt

 

[David]

Thanks. I have read they are gentle males and I know someone that would take him/her.

 

[Wes in Tx]

David look at the feathers on the back of his neck and compare it to birds you are sure are females. The males neck feathers will tend to be to the pointed side and females more round. This work in all bread but Seabrights because they are all hen feathered.

 

[David]

Thanks for the advice. I wlll do that first thing in the AM

 

[eggchel]

Also, if you watch them as they mature, the males will usually start to turn red around the comb and wattles much sooner than the females. The females combs and wattles dont turn red until just before they are ready to lay.

chel

 

[David]

OK, the feathers are those of a male and I heard him crow a few times. His behavior is that of a male so that is it. I have heard they are gentle birds, but do I need him bothering the 6 hens I have? Also when the hens start laying (March) will the eggs have blood streaks if this guy is copulating with the hens or does the blood spot start later in the incubation period? I think this guy if going to go to a good home in the country. I live in a gated place with many many restrictions.

 

[ella]

Blood spots and streaks have nothing to do with fertalization. They are imperfections in the formation of the egg and will occur whether or not you have a rooster.

You may be able to get away with having a rooster if you bribe your neighbors with eggs

I personally really like my roosters, they help protect the flock and are really fun to watch. But I understand not wanting to draw attention to yourself if your neighbors could cause trouble for you.

 

[David]

Thanks for the information. I can not decide what to do. I am waiting to hear from a friend that has a good safe coop. If she wants him, he is gone!

 

[FrankBlissett]

The "freebies" are more often than not male. You did get lucky that yours was a Pheonix though! Shouldn't be too hard to re-home if needed.

-Frank