Possible EE Rooster in the Group

[manaze88]

My chicks were born 4/22, so they aren't yet 4 months old. I picked up 6 of them, all of them Easter Eggers, and at this point, I'm questioning whether all of them are actually females. One, in particular, has me concerned. The problem I have is my local ordinance....no roosters!

I don't know when I'll know for sure....I either have to wait for an egg, or some crowing. Some of my research makes it sound like they should start crowing/laying anywhere between 16-20 weeks, or even later depending on weather (heat) or other factors. If the crowing starts, then I have to find a new home for my rooster (sad). Anyone run into this problem where the chicks are not properly sexed and you end up with a rooster? What did you do?



This is the best picture I have, right now. Am I just being paranoid, or does this one have the colors and markings of a rooster?

 

[goldfinches]

I'm pretty sure that's a boy. And a pretty one! I'm sorry that you can't keep him.

Yes, you'll start hearing gurgles soon, and it'll be a crow within a couple of weeks of that starting.

You might be able to sell him on craigslist or here, on the Buy/Sell/Trade forum.

(you could let him mate with your girls for a little while then incubate and have some of his babies

)

 

[hdowden]

yes that is 100% ee cockerel

 

[debid]

Unfortunately, sexing mistakes happen and yours is, without a doubt, a male. Females never look like that.

Of the 14 pullets I ordered, one ended up being a cockerel. As I understand it, that's typical. There is a reason hatcheries guarantee 90% accuracy. My situation was quite different, though -- roosters are allowed here. If I were in your shoes, I'd start looking for a home for him ASAP. Mine started full-blown crowing at 14 weeks and if I had a close neighbor who cared about such things, those 4AM calls would have gotten old in a hurry.

 

[featherz]

Sorry, but that's a rooster. But he's very pretty! Too bad you can't keep him, my EE roosters are very sweet as roosters go.

 

[donrae]

All boy, your instincts were right on. Post him on craigslist and don't ask what the buyer is gong to do with him if the thought of him being eaten distresses you. Remember there are worse things than a quick death.

 

[manaze88]

Thanks for the feedback! Not what I was hoping to hear, but definitely good to get pushed down the correct line. Otherwise, I'll get a phone call from a neighbor letting me know I have a rooster, and then have to struggle to get it re-homed.

I might have a line on a taker, or two, so hopefully I can make that happen. Still, every ounce of me wants to fight it, and wait for that first crow before I give up the fight. I think my wife will push until that happens, anyway.

Thanks, again....

 

[ki4got]

ok well, i hate to argue with the concensus, but i'm not so sure...
if you had another pic to post, fron the side, or comparing the whole group, that would say for sure...
typically you'd know it's a roo tho by about 10 weeks old he'd already be trying to crow.
also, by now you'd see definite hackle and saddle development, as well as the sickles in the tail.
your bird is right at 16 weeks old, so i'd say she's getting ready to start laying soon.

here's a couple pics of my 2 pullets about 2 weeks ago. they both hatched near the end of march.
and YES, they're pullets, since i'm getting an egg a day from each of them, starting right at 16 weeks old.


these pics were taken a few days before the eggs started.


(forgive her eagle imitation LOL she wasn't too happy about being held)

 

[manaze88]

ok well, i hate to argue with the concensus, but i'm not so sure...
if you had another pic to post, fron the side, or comparing the whole group, that would say for sure...
typically you'd know it's a roo tho by about 10 weeks old he'd already be trying to crow.
also, by now you'd see definite hackle and saddle development, as well as the sickles in the tail.
your bird is right at 16 weeks old, so i'd say she's getting ready to start laying soon.

here's a couple pics of my 2 pullets about 2 weeks ago. they both hatched near the end of march.
and YES, they're pullets, since i'm getting an egg a day from each of them, starting right at 16 weeks old.


these pics were taken a few days before the eggs started.
(forgive her eagle imitation LOL she wasn't too happy about being held)

You give me hope! Thanks for posting the pics, I will continue to wait and see what happens, then. Definitely no crowing, and I am beyond the 10 weeks.

 

[featherz]

You give me hope! Thanks for posting the pics, I will continue to wait and see what happens, then. Definitely no crowing, and I am beyond the 10 weeks.

I have roosters that waited until 6 months to crow, and almost none of mine have crowed before 10 weeks LOL. Maybe I am just lucky. But yes, do post a better side shot.