Please help!!--hens or roosters

[Kids and Chicks]

We purchased our new chickens about 3 1/2 weeks ago. The farmer told us they were 5 months old. He was selling them straight run and we went ahead and purchased 4 because they were the age we wanted. After talking to him for awhile, he finally agreed to take back any chickens that ended up being roosters and helped us choose the 4 most likely to be pullets. We for sure have a rooster-started crowing some last week and is now full blown. We still don't have any eggs and they have been on laying food since we got them. We have two BO that we are not sure about. "Big Bird" is the largest, seems to have more rounded saddle feathers, but seems to be in charge. "Little Bird" seems to have the longer, pointed saddle feathers. "Red" is supposed to be a RIR, but it's hard to tell. She had most of her feathers pulled out on her back when we got her. Farmer thought a rooster had been getting on her. The birds were raising hackles at each other a lot in the run when we first got them. Now they only do it when they are roaming in the yard, but the raise hackles at each other a lot and sometime jump/kick at each other. Any help would be great!! We live in an area where roosters are not allowed. Our BR may be going into the roaster if the farmer won't trade him out. I'm sure my neighbors did not appreciate the 5 am wake up call this morning.


Big Bird--gender in question--saddle feathers seem more rounded?



Little Bird--gender in question--pointy saddle feathers??

Little Bird in front



Red--feathers growing in nicely, but not enough to help us identify


Rock--our crower!!

 

[Habibs Hens]

All roosters

 

[Kids and Chicks]

Habits Hens, can you tell me how you determined they are all roosters? We are new to this and any information would be great. I showed some pics to someone local, and he felt they are hens. Chicken swap is this weekend again. I took more pics this morning too if that would help. Thanks!

 

[maran man 32]

From what I can tell Roos why because of there developed waddles and crests and some of there tail feathering in my opinion

 

[donrae]

I also think they're roosters, and don't think they're that old. Or, they've been with older dominant roosters that inhibited their development.

The barred rock is easy to spot due to the color difference between barred hens and roosters. Look at pics on here of barred rock hens and you'll see the hens are much darker in color overall.

The buffs and red just have that gawky gangly adolescent cockerel look, sorry to not be more specific. You can see some hackle and saddle feathers coming in here and there, plus the longer legs than a pullet would have, and you can see some darker shading coming in on the wings here and there.

They don't look as developed as 5 month old boys usually do, so either they're a month or so younger or were in close confinement with a very dominant rooster (or several) and just developed slower.

I sure hope the seller makes it right for you!

 

[insmokesimage]

I think that all are roosters. I have Barred Rocks pullets and cockerels that are 11 weeks and old and you can see the difference in all of the them. Its the wattles and combs! I'm just not 100% sure on the RIR. Good luck to you!

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I agree with donrae, all roosters, and not nearly as old as you were led to believe. Also the behavior you describe is that of adolescent roosters.

Even three weeks ago, the seller should have easily been able to determine gender with these birds. And "straight run" should have gotten you at least one hen. I am highly suspicious that this seller is trying to take advantage of you.

 

[Kids and Chicks]

Thanks for the responses. Here's a couple more pictures I took this morning. We really don't want to start over, but if they are all cockerels they can't stay. Looks like we were taken advantage of to unload some roosters. Going to call to see what he will do for us.

Little bird

Little Bird



Red--feathers still growing in

Red


Big Bird--pecks on the Rock whenever he crows

Big Bird

Thanks for your help!!!

All of them also have spur buds. I don't know if this is normal for this "age", but then again we're not sure on the age!

 

[flockman]

Unfortunately I agree that they are all Roos.