Please help! I’m concerned I’ve got a flock of roosters!

[nao57]

PS

I find it hard to believe she didn't know that 100% of what she gave you were the ones that couldn't lay eggs. But fighting with her will only bring you trouble. The odds of that are just too impossible with regards to probability. If it were by accident there would have to be at least 1 or 2 hens. (But roosters should have more muscle build than the hens which means good meat.)

But you can learn to watch for snake oil sales types and steer clear of them.

This is another reason why I don't like working for other people. People lie, cheat, and steal, for a dollar.

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

They are cockerels. I don't see a single pullet.

That’s a shame I’ve grown quite attached to the little guys.

so the difference in tail feathers mean anything?

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

PS

I find it hard to believe she didn't know that 100% of what she gave you were the ones that couldn't lay eggs. But fighting with her will only bring you trouble. The odds of that are just too impossible with regards to probability. If it were by accident there would have to be at least 1 or 2 hens. (But roosters should have more muscle build than the hens which means good meat.)

But you can learn to watch for snake oil sales types and steer clear of them.

This is another reason why I don't like working for other people. People lie, cheat, and steal, for a dollar.

thanks For your input mate. I appreciate it. Just wanted to ask where you are based?

 

[nao57]

thanks For your input mate. I appreciate it. Just wanted to ask where you are based?

Utah in the US.

I used to work near Los Angeles for awhile, and then realized there was no future for honest people in big cities. I do like rural areas more. But even Utah gets a few problems.

 

[Mylied]

That’s a shame I’ve grown quite attached to the little guys.

so the difference in tail feathers mean anything?

Not at that age. It's the big pink/red combs and wattles. Females stay small and yellowish until they are getting closer to laying. The red on the shoulders of the white birds is also a male trait. I too find it hard to believe she didn't know. I feel your pain though. I once got 16 day old easter eggers and 13 were male. That was pure bad luck.

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

Not at that age. It's the big pink/red combs and wattles. Females stay small and yellowish until they are getting closer to laying. The red on the shoulders of the white birds is also a male trait. I too find it hard to believe she didn't know. I feel your pain though. I once got 16 day old easter eggers and 13 were male. That was pure bad luck.

yeah.. I guess novices will always be taken for a ride. Not a good way to start in the poultry world but so be it.
Thanks so much for your input and I’ll know for the future.

I thought the females would be a little red but reading your comments I can see that isn’t the case at all.
Thanks mate

 

[Acre4Me]

So they are about 8 weeks old-I see boys.

seller didn’t know breed bc playing dumb was her best strategy. Sorry that you got a bunch of males.

FWIW, we’ve had some breeds where the females pink up early (by 6 weeks), but no wattle growth and combs are smaller when comparing to the males of same breed.

are you allowed males? Where do you live, in general?

 

[Henpeckedrooster]

So they are about 8 weeks old-I see boys.

seller didn’t know breed bc playing dumb was her best strategy. Sorry that you got a bunch of males.

FWIW, we’ve had some breeds where the females pink up early (by 6 weeks), but no wattle growth and combs are smaller when comparing to the males of same breed.

are you allowed males? Where do you live, in general?

Hey mate, I’m in Melbourne and no I’m not allowed any males.

So I either give them away or grow them for meat birds.
I’m in suburbia so only allowed hens.
Seller really got me. Very dissatisfied with my first poultry experience

 

[Acre4Me]

Hey mate, I’m in Melbourne and no I’m not allowed any males.

So I either give them away or grow them for meat birds.
I’m in suburbia so only allowed hens.
Seller really got me. Very dissatisfied with my first poultry experience

Well, plan to butcher around 16 weeks bc they will start to crow around then. Keep them confined so they eat their feed and put on muscle. Increase protein intake if possible (meatbird feed, gamebird feed, supplement with dry cat food or dried fish food flakes, or canned meat). Butcher the day before trash pick up, not the day after (personal experience speaking).

FWIW you are not the first person to be duped like this. Many threads similar to this. Next time but from a hatchery of some kind or buy pullets around 16 weeks old bc then you can see male traits, like saddle feathers.

good luck