Rhode Island Red rooster lays egg

[Cockahen]

This spring I bought 6 pullets at tractor supply...or what I thought were all pullets. One of the "hens" was looking more and more like a male so we figured tractor supply just made a mistake and put a rooster in with its pullets so we just kept it and let it go where it wanted. Today I went outside and the rooster was squatting in its pen(not the nesting boxes) and it laid a medium size white egg, the second it hit the ground the hens rushed over and ate the egg. It was its only egg I know of. Is it a rooster or hen? Why did it lay an egg?

 

[sourland]

It is 100 % a hen, and it laid an egg because that is what hens do. Absolutely no rooster feathering characteristics, and large combs on laying hens are the norm.

 

[redsoxs]

I will always bow to the wisdom of Sourland. And !

 

[junebuggena]

You have a female. The red comb meant that eggs were on the way, not cock-a-doodle-doos.

 

[drumstick diva]

That's the good news, the bad news is egg eating is a hard habit to stop. The others will quickly learn to do the same thing.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[junebuggena]

If the shell was broken or soft, it's fair game. However, to be sure it's not related to a protein deficiency, be sure to keep them on grower until they are all laying. And minimize treats.

 

[7littlegirls]

Hi! welcome to
BYC! Congrats on the egg

 

[patsalters]

In late April I aired 15 pullets, 10 wyandotte, and 5 Brown Leghorn, and one Leghorn cockrell. My grandkids suggested I name the Cockrell Chanteclair which I did. In the last tree days Chanteclair has laid two eggs. I've now determined he is a cross dresser and her name has been changed to Clair. Big combs and wattles do not make a rooster. LOL.

 

[patsalters]

In late April I aquired 15 pullets, 10 wyandotte and 5 Brown Leghorn. I also purchased one Leghorn cockrell. My wonderful grandkids suggested naming him Chanteclair.
In the last 3 days I observed Chanteclair laying 2 eggs. He is beautiful, large red comb and wattles, superior in size to the rest. I am of the opinion that roosters do not lay eggs. Chanteclair is a cross dresser and now goes by Clair. LOL.
A large comb and wattles do NOT A ROOSTER MAKE.