Rhode Island Red... Roo or hen?

[carol0622]

In early May we got 2 RIR chicks. They are now approx 4 months old. We can clearly tell their sex.

In July I asked the same guy if I could buy another hen. He said he only had one left because foxes killed the other 20+ that he had. So he brings me the only one he had left. The picture below is the baby when I got her/him. (Keep in mind that it is approx 3 months old in this pic)

Apparently the guy kept the sole baby in a black box, outside from early May until I got her. Definitely had no heat or property nutrition. I did some research and I think it was runted.

Here it is 2 weeks after saving her. She is standing next to her sister, Ginger. Same age. How sad is that?!

Here she is today

Since she was clearly runted I am having a hard time telling what sex she is. I keep saying "she" because I can't have another rooster and I keep hoping that she really is a she.

Anyone have advice. ??

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Cockerel

 

[junebuggena]

The bird you got was not stunted. It was just much younger than stated. Only approximately 4 weeks old when you got it. If it hadn't received proper nutrition and supplemental heat, it would be dead by about 2 weeks old. That chick had been fed properly. There is no indications of bone deformities that come with poor nutrition. You were lied to about the age. It is also a cockerel.

 

[carol0622]

The bird you got was not stunted. It was just much younger than stated. Only approximately 4 weeks old when you got it. If it hadn't received proper nutrition and supplemental heat, it would be dead by about 2 weeks old. That chick had been fed properly. There is no indications of bone deformities that come with poor nutrition. You were lied to about the age. It is also a cockerel.

Ugh. I was worried that he was lying about it being from the same batch. He assured me it was. So good thing that it was healthy but bad that it's a roo. I can't keep both (I only have 4 hens) and will have to make the horrible choice of picking one to rehome

 

[donrae]

I agree it's a cockerel, and younger than stated.

 

[drumstick diva]

cockerel - there should be a special place in "NOT heaven," where dishonest sellers go - obviously it would be standing room only.

 

[carol0622]

cockerel - there should be a special place in "NOT heaven," where dishonest sellers go - obviously it would be standing room only.

I hear ya!!! If he wasn't such a sh*tty person and if I didn't love this little Chickie, I would drop it off on his door step. It's going to break my heart to have to rehome one of the roos!

 

[donrae]

cockerel - there should be a special place in "NOT heaven," where dishonest sellers go - obviously it would be standing room only.

In the Special Hell....next to the child molesters and people who talk in the theater

Just got to get in my Firefly nod

 

[carol0622]

In the Special Hell....next to the child molesters and people who talk in the theater  

Just got to get in my Firefly nod  

Amen to that!!!!