Pullet or Cockerel?

[chantelbedlington]

8.5 weeks old.

2 Americaunas, a Plymouth Rock, and 2 Buff Orps.

In order of pics:
1. Fluffy- grey Americauna
2. Thunderbird- brown Americauna
3. Dorothy- Plymouth Rock
4. HomeRun- Orpington
5&6 are both Goldilox- Orpington (she's the one I'm most worried about- bc she's my fave and my city doesn’t allow Roo's!)

 

[nuthatched]

Last bo is a dude, sorry about that.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

8.5 weeks old.

2 Americaunas, a Plymouth Rock, and 2 Buff Orps.

In order of pics:
1. Fluffy- grey Americauna
2. Thunderbird- brown Americauna
3. Dorothy- Plymouth Rock
4. HomeRun- Orpington
5&6 are both Goldilox- Orpington (she's the one I'm most worried about- bc she's my fave and my city doesn’t allow Roo's!)

Hi there and welcome to BYC!

Your "AmerIcauna" are actually Easter Eggers, meant to represent the AmerAucana breed, but not for show and won't breed true or meet any standard of perfection (for informational purposes). They're a fun grab bag of character and looks.

Pointy male specific saddle feathers don't start to show until around 12 weeks on most non hen feathered breeds.

But those bright red wattles at the stated age on Goldilox tell the whole story and he is definitely a cockerel.. often peoples favorite chick due to their bold confidence compared to the gals in the brood. The rest are pullets.

Now, I DON'T recommend it.. but many folks use a "crow collar" to keep roosters in the city. Abiding by the law is best and prevents even more future drama and heartache.

I also don't really recommend keeping roosters for new poultry keepers. I love and enjoy having them.. but there are special challenges. A hen only flock CAN be way more enjoyable.

That's a nice grouping of breeds with EE and BR being two of my very favorites!

I've had good success using craigslist farm and garden section to re-home chickens. While it can happen immediately, 3 weeks is about how long it usually takes for really good response.

One of my local feed stores will buy roosters back and both of them have a push pin type posting board.

Best wishes for a fantastic outcome!

 

[chantelbedlington]

Hi there and welcome to BYC!

Your "AmerIcauna" are actually Easter Eggers, meant to represent the AmerAucana breed, but not for show and won't breed true or meet any standard of perfection (for informational purposes). They're a fun grab bag of character and looks.

Pointy male specific saddle feathers don't start to show until around 12 weeks on most non hen feathered breeds.

But those bright red wattles at the stated age on Goldilox tell the whole story and he is definitely a cockerel.. often peoples favorite chick due to their bold confidence compared to the gals in the brood. The rest are pullets.

Now, I DON'T recommend it.. but many folks use a "crow collar" to keep roosters in the city. Abiding by the law is best and prevents even more future drama and heartache.

I also don't really recommend keeping roosters for new poultry keepers. I love and enjoy having them.. but there are special challenges. A hen only flock CAN be way more enjoyable.

That's a nice grouping of breeds with EE and BR being two of my very favorites!

I've had good success using craigslist farm and garden section to re-home chickens. While it can happen immediately, 3 weeks is about how long it usually takes for really good response.

One of my local feed stores will buy roosters back and both of them have a push pin type posting board.

Best wishes for a fantastic outcome!

I'll want to replace him with a girl at the same age, correct? How does one find other 8 week old chickens?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'll want to replace him with a girl at the same age, correct? How does one find other 8 week old chickens?

I would not unless you need the egg production.

I would wait until next year or the following and add 2 or 3 more ladies to make up for the reduced egg production in the older birds.. many will not lay at all their 2nd winter and beyond while they molt. They return to lay as day light increases again. I prefer raising at least 3 chicks in case one doesn't make it.. My local TSC has a 4 chick minimum but my LFS (local feed store) does not. Extra's would be sold once off heat or at point of lay once my favorites are confirmed. Poultry sell really well in MY location.

I usually sell off a couple of (my least favorite) older gals (early in the 2nd or 3rd spring season with disclosure) to another home where can they can still get several months eggs before molt sets in. This is how I make room to try fun new breeds in addition to the egg production thing.

Regardless of when you decide to add in another bird (or more) pecking order is in full swing already and chickens are territorial so care must be taken during integration.. usually a look but don't touch type separation ( like a dog kennel, for several days) to prevent injury to the new bird and allow them to have some conversations, get familiar and work it out a little before making full contact. Also if possible adding more than one newcomer at a time helps spread the pecking around more to make it less focused on an individual.. Adding in more feed stations and water dishes for the integration period is recommended.

There are chicks about that age often also on craigslist farm and garden section. With the current AI and other possible viruses and such.. I would not want to bring in birds from an unknown source with unknown bio-security practices. Viruses like Marek's won't show ANY symptoms for at least 3 weeks after exposure but may not even that soon. I'm just not capable of truly adequate quarantine so it's not worth the risk to the rest of my flock. Feed store and hatchery chicks are *typically* the safest choice.

There usually isn't a single perfect answer for everyone across the board since things vary by location, set up, flock dynamics, individual goals, ordinances, etc.

I expect it's very doable to rehome a single cock. I might even consider selling him and the buff girl as a mated pair or him and the rock as a mated sex linking pair to recoup his value and entice a fellow adventurer!

Alas, as I can't not mention it as one possibility.. all life is finite and If he should grace someone's dinner table.. most of us provide the best life ever with one bad moment done as humanely and fear free as possible.

Hope this helps give you some ideas!

 

[chantelbedlington]

Hi there and welcome to BYC!

Your "AmerIcauna" are actually Easter Eggers, meant to represent the AmerAucana breed, but not for show and won't breed true or meet any standard of perfection (for informational purposes). They're a fun grab bag of character and looks.

Pointy male specific saddle feathers don't start to show until around 12 weeks on most non hen feathered breeds.

But those bright red wattles at the stated age on Goldilox tell the whole story and he is definitely a cockerel.. often peoples favorite chick due to their bold confidence compared to the gals in the brood. The rest are pullets.

Now, I DON'T recommend it.. but many folks use a "crow collar" to keep roosters in the city. Abiding by the law is best and prevents even more future drama and heartache.

I also don't really recommend keeping roosters for new poultry keepers. I love and enjoy having them.. but there are special challenges. A hen only flock CAN be way more enjoyable.

That's a nice grouping of breeds with EE and BR being two of my very favorites!

I've had good success using craigslist farm and garden section to re-home chickens. While it can happen immediately, 3 weeks is about how long it usually takes for really good response.

One of my local feed stores will buy roosters back and both of them have a push pin type posting board.

Best wishes for a fantastic outcome!

 

[chantelbedlington]

Now 9 weeks. Should I feel pretty confident shat she's a he?

 

[Painted Calls]

Now 9 weeks. Should I feel pretty confident shat she's a he?
View attachment 3138618
View attachment 3138620

Yes, that one is a cockerel.

 

[Painted Calls]

Also, welcome to BYC!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Now 9 weeks. Should I feel pretty confident shat she's a he?

I thought it was clear at the last post!

when I stated..

those bright red wattles at the stated age on Goldilox tell the whole story and he is definitely a cockerel.

No one can blame ya for wishful thinking though!

(or for using caution about what someone on the internet says)

HE is getting more handsome by the day, and they're so cure together!

You can be confident about HIS gender as soon as you are ready.

Females DON'T turn red that young and you've got a perfect example of what any pullet would still be looking like standing right next to him for comparison..

Example of how the saddle feather shape will change, starting around 10-12 weeks and grown in by 16-18.

Pointy feathers coming in but not flowing yet.. Images from google.