Romeo—is it a rooster or a hen?

[Hilltop Flock]

A few days ago, I bought a bird from Rural King and it’s supposed to be a rooster. It is barred w bronze feathering coming in around the neck and a few other places, plus some green feathers. Its comb is pale, which makes me think it might be sick. Not sure of age or breed or anything anymore!

 

[Hilltop Flock]

Has not laid an egg ever it seems or crowed either.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Late bloomer cockerel.

 

[Sea Wolf]

You only bought it a few days ago. You can't expect instant eggs. The bird needs to settle in first and adapt to it's new home. I would also say it is a barred rock or a cuckoo marans hen. It's not a rooster. Look closely on the neck and on the lower back just before the tail. If it is a rooster, you should see long pointed feathers in both areas. Especially around the base of the tail. In your pictures, I don't see pointed feathers on either end.

 

[MysteryChicken]

You only bought it a few days ago. You can't expect instant eggs. The bird needs to settle in first and adapt to it's new home. I would also say it is a barred rock or a cuckoo marans hen. It's not a rooster.

He has pointy saddles, & a shoulder patch coming in which are male specific traits.

 

[MysteryChicken]

How old is he exactly for a better judgement?

 

[The Happster]

It's a cockerel.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Going for a tie, but I see a pullet.

 

[Sea Wolf]

He has pointy saddles, & a shoulder patch coming in which are male specific traits.

If the pointed feathers are there, then it's a roo. Just give him time to develop. Comb color won't indicate sickness but posture and behavior will. Seems to be a big bird for RK to sell. Did someone bring the bird to the store and dump it off? Did you check well for lice or mites before you brought it home and put it in the run? Any new bird really should be quarantined for 2 weeks before adding to your flock.

 

[Hilltop Flock]

You only bought it a few days ago. You can't expect instant eggs. The bird needs to settle in first and adapt to it's new home. I would also say it is a barred rock or a cuckoo marans hen. It's not a rooster. Look closely on the neck and on the lower back just before the tail. If it is a rooster, you should see long pointed feathers in both areas. Especially around the base of the tail. In your pictures, I don't see pointed feathers on either end.

I didn’t expect to have instant eggs at all, but with the thought it may be hen, I did inspect under the tail—just looks like it hasn’t laid an egg compared to how my chickens who have look.