Please don't say "Rooster"

[bobchristenson]

I'm in a "no rooster zone" here in the suburbs, so I'm a little worried about this one. Here's my 26 week old Barred Rock (from Meyer Hatchery).

• Still no eggs.
• The 'boss' of the coop
• No real 'crowing'
• No apparent spurs
• When I go to pick 'her' up, she bends down into the submissive position.

Whatta ya think? Rooster or no?

 

[TNBowen]

Hen, no rooster feathering.

 

[bobchristenson]

Whew, thats what I thought too (but its my first set of chickies). A big 'like' coming your way

 

[LaynaDon95]

Definitely a lady. Glad to see your flock doing so well! Did you ever have to give them meds?

 

[Fred's Hens]

On rare occasion, you get a Boss hen who is so busy being the queen bee that she takes on the role of a rooster in a flock. Sometimes, rarely, she takes on this role to the extent that she even "forgets" to lay. If the 30 week mark comes and goes without her taking her turn in the nest, you'll have to consider what steps to take.

 

[bobchristenson]

If the 30 week mark comes and goes without her taking her turn in the nest, you'll have to consider what steps to take.

Tell me about these "steps to take"...are we concerned about health at that point? What would it mean?

 

[bobchristenson]

Glad to see your flock doing so well! Did you ever have to give them meds?

Thanks for asking! Nope, never gave them anything but cider vinegar in their water...all happy and healthy (as far as I can tell, anyway)

 

[Coop Deville]

Hen (color and feathering). Behavior is not the best way to tell the gender. Some of my hens engage in all sorts of bossy behavior, but they're definitely girls.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You can isolate her. This will accomplish a couple of things. First, give her more time. But, if you wish, you can place her in her own pen, after 30 weeks. This will allow you to be sure if in fact she is or is not laying. This will also cause her to lose her place as queen bee, if she is kept separate, out of sight from the flock, for 12-14 days.

Remember that some individuals simply are SLOW at point of lay. That's OK, but at some point, I assume you would prefer she earn her keep? LOL

 

[LaynaDon95]

Thanks for asking! Nope, never gave them anything but cider vinegar in their water...all happy and healthy (as far as I can tell, anyway)

Glad to hear it! I was wondering about you and your flock last week some time. They were still babies last I heard, but my goodness they have grown! You are obviously doing a very good job taking care of them as well, because she is very pretty. All mine are grown up, too. *sigh* Time to order more I guess!