Rooster? and advice needed *PIX*

[gotchooks?]

This is Daisy/Duke. D is 20 weeks old and lives with a flock of 10 ladies. D hasn't crowed or tried to mate even though the girls are squatting for me. I think I see saddle feathers, but when I pick D up and look at the feathers individually, they appear roundish but some of the black markings are "arrow" shaped and the white feathers are lacy on the edges and more dense/normal closer to the shaft. I also looked to see if any new, longer saddle or tail feathers are coming in. Nothing there. *confused* The person I purchased D from has said he/she looks like some of her hens and that they go through a gangly stage and look more like hens when they get older and fill out. She said she's not positive it's a roo (or pullet). I should also mention, this person saw D as a 13 week old and it may have been harder to judge.

D is very sweet and doesn't mind being handled. I don't live in an area where crowing would be appreciated...much less tolerated. I have someone who can take him on the 12th but he/she will be going to a processor the next day.

I haven't found anyone wants a mixed breed roo, regardless of its nice disposition.

Should I wait it out and see if D is indeed a pullet or is it possible I could have one of those quiet roos I've read about on here? My kids and I have become really attached and the thought of sending D to freezer camp is just so sad.

The last photo is what makes me think I have a roo. Does anyone have a hen (of any breed) with feathers like this?

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jenn

 

[NYREDS]

Sorry to say but definately a cockerel.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Some roos take a very long time to mature. If you think this one is a pullet i would just wait it out. Quiet, nice, freindly and gentle roos are pretty hard to come by.

 

[krcote]

ROO!

 

[mikarod]

Cockerel...sorry....

 

[FarmGirl21]

What breed is he?? He looks a lot like my chicks i can't figure out! YAY!

So glad i looked at this post....sorry it's a boy

 

[speckledhen]

He looks like a cross between a Lt. Brahma and either a Delaware or a Barred Rock. Brahmas do not have barred tailfeathers.

 

[joebryant]

gotchooks? :

... I don't live in an area where crowing would be appreciated...much less tolerated...

Thanks,
Jenn

Jenn, don't be too sure about that. I thought I'd have problems too, but so far none of my neighbors mind. Some even like hearing the rooster. I do keep them in the coop though until everyone's out of bed. Actually, I seem to be the only person in the neighborhood who wants to ring his neck when he starts one of his lllooonnggg crowing spells.
BTW, I talked to all of my close neighbors and told them that if they wanted me to get rid of the rooster to just let me know, and he'd be gone quickly. So far, people don't notice his crowing or don't mind his crowing or like hearing him crow or they're at work during day or it's cool at nights and they have their windows closed or ... Whatever, you might be surprised about others' reaction to his crowing, especially if your coop is closed and fairly well insulated for noise until about 8-9 A.M.​

 

[gotchooks?]

Quote:
I purchased him as a Light Brahma. Some nice folks on the board later explained to me that he is, in fact, a mix. I don't know what he might be mixed with because he was supposed to be a straight LB. I don't have enough experience with the variety and characteristics of other breeds to hazzard a guess...but maybe speckledhen is right.

 

[gotchooks?]

Quote:
I'll do this. I have one cranky neighbor who was not happy to hear I was getting chickens. Everyone else was fine with it, not to mention the fact that I'm always offering fresh eggs.

The cranky one takes the eggs but always has to make a comment like "They better not stink" or "They better not attract mice" or "They better not get into my garden" etc...
She's the one I worry about.

Someone posted on another thread about their roo not crowing much at all. Maybe I'll get lucky and he won't be all that vocal. My girls are pretty quiet and so far he hasn't made a peep. *knocks on wood*

My daughter really got to me last night...she started crying and said "Can't we at least try???" How can I not at this point?

Thanks for the input everyone...I'll give it a whirl.