Hello. We live in Glendale AZ. I have 2 RIR & one Americuana (not sure if I spelled it right) hens. We had a Bantam hen that was killed by a hawk. Just got another Bantam baby (and 3 Americuanas) from Pratts Feed Store. How soon can I tell if my Bantam is a roo or a hen? They do not sex the Bantams at Pratts. Last time i bought 4. 2 died within a couple days, one grew into a beautiful silver roo with a gorgeous purple jewel on his head. Very mean though. The hen was a black silkie and she was a pretty good egg layer. Would lay for 2 weeks and go broody for 3-4 weeks. Lovely off white almost pink eggs. She would steal the other girls eggs too. "Tilly" was the one who was murdered so I'm hoping to get another female. Just curious as to when he/she might look like a rooster or hen. Last time, which was our first time, I had no idea until the roo was fighting with our Leghorn roo. I am sure he showed characteristics of being male but I never thought to take notes. He was re homed soon after the fighting started. Thanks for any advice. I've always found the best info and advice on BYC.
Normally roosters start to have redder combs before hens do. If you aren't sure you can start a thread in the What Breed Or Gender is This? forum and post a picture of them so we could help you sex them. Also if you got your Ameraucanas from a Feed store they are most likely Easter Eggers.
What a shame about Tilly. Silkies do usually make fantastic broodies, and will hatch any fertile eggs you put under them. I don't know much about other bantam breeds except silkies. They are very difficult to sex before 4-5 mos. of age and sometimes not till they crow or lay. If your birds are 6 weeks of age or more you can post photos at what breed or gender is this, and the knowledgeable folks there will offer their advice and opinions.
Hello! Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC. X2 on drumstick diva's post. Good luck!
