Rescue...roo?

[KABerries]

We took in two young chickens that were abandoned at a wildlife center. No idea on the age, but they are smaller and lighter than the 5 girls in our existing flock. Also, they still make "cheeping" noises. Their combs have grown in the week and a half that they've been here.

I'm pretty sure that "Lucy" is a buff orpington and "Ethel" is a barred rock. I was also pretty sure that they are pullets (not laying yet).

BUT this morning I heard what I'm guessing was lots of crowing coming from Lucy. It was only 2 syllables, but very loud and long. She's also started to get a bit feisty. (They are both a bit people shy yet.)

Anyhow. I'm still not seeing any cockerel traits in her, but I'm a total novice and habe never had any chickens other than my current ladies.

Any guesses on age? Sex? Confirmation on breed?

 

[Squishychicken]

Correct barred rock and orpington

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

In the last two photos they look like pullets, but in the other photos the Barred Plymouth Rock looks like a cockerel.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

The Buff looks like a cockerel, it has darker wing bars & I think I see some pointy saddle feathers. I can't see the saddle feathering on your barred bird. Do you have a full side shot? I would guess they're in the 12-16 week range.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm betting that they are both cockerels. Lucky you!
Mary

 

[redranger209]

I think Orpington cockerel and rock pullet. The barring is all wrong for a cockerel.

 

[KABerries]

This morning I went out and examined "Lucy" and "Ethel" and gathered as much photo evidence as I could. We have not heard any crowing today, so I was thinking maybe I had cockerel paranoia. But then...

..."Lucy" has spurs coming in (see photos, the buff).

I hadn't even thought about the barred rock being a cockerel until the comments here. And now, I'm no expert, but those sure look like fancy saddle feathers coming in on "Ethel" (see photos, the barred rock).

So I think now we're going with "King Louis" (buff) and "King Henry" (barred rock). It makes sense, in hindsight, that cockerels would be abandoned over hens.

Any further thoughts/confirmation?

P.S. I'm super nervous to have roos. I'm clueless about them. We only have 5 hens. Will that be a problem with 2 roosters?

 

[Flockandfowl46]

Yup those are saddle feathers I think you have 2 cockerals

 

[KikiLeigh02]

Looks like two cockerels. I'm guessing your barred is really a Black Sex Link cockerel. Those will both be pretty large roosters when they grow up, it may be problematic for you even if you only keep one of them with 5 hens. I like to follow the 10-1 ratio right now we're at 20-1 though because my little bantam rooster does not play well with other roosters/cockerels. Some people get away with less, it really just depends on your bird. I definitely would get rid of at least one of them. This is a really great read, it was super helpful for me:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beekisseds-rooster-speak.73664/

 

[JedJackson]

One cockerel would likely be okay with five hens. Two cockerels probably wouldn't work. If you don't want any, you may be able to re-home them both. You have to decide what is right for you.