Rooster or Hen OMG!!

[endlesstrail]

I purchased a straight run this spring of Rhode Island Reds. My fear is I think I got 12 roosters!!!! I usually can tell the difference by the size of their legs/feet, comb, and tail feathers. But I am really stumped with this gang of juvenile delinquents. Is a RIR hen comb really small or can it be almost the same size of a rooster? My chickens are approaching 5 months old and have some major ugliness between the reds and my 3 younger orpington hens. I actually fear for their lives. I know I have to do some butchering immediately but do not want to dispatch hens by mistaken identity. Although the chorus of crowing is very entertaining! They got to go!

 

[keesmom]

Can you post pictures?

At 5 months of age the cockerels will have obvious saddle feathers.

 

[endlesstrail]

Can you post pictures?

At 5 months of age the cockerels will have obvious saddle feathers.

Thanks, But I am not sure with these RIR. I never purchased a straight run before. I have always ordered specific hens and roosters. It was easy to see the difference. Never having this breed before, I really dont know what a saddle or non-saddle looks like with this breed. There is black feathers on all of them. They are all the same size bird as well. Anyone have a picture of a RIR hen so I can compare?

 

[endlesstrail]

I can get some pictures and post them a little later.

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks, But I am not sure with these RIR. I never purchased a straight run before. I have always ordered specific hens and roosters. It was easy to see the difference. Never having this breed before, I really dont know what a saddle or non-saddle looks like with this breed. There is black feathers on all of them. They are all the same size bird as well. Anyone have a picture of a RIR hen so I can compare?

ALL chickens have saddle feathers.
The saddle feathers of a cockerel/rooster will be long and pointed.
The saddle feathers of a pullet/hen will be wide and rounded.
Post pictures if you still can't determine gender this way but at 5 months, I would think the cockerels would have announced themselves by now.

 

[aart]

RIR should be easy to tell at about 4-6 weeks.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I can get some pictures and post them a little later.

Ya. can you post pictures? That’s would really help a lot!

 

[endlesstrail]

Ya. can you post pictures? That’s would really help a lot!

Here we go. I finally got some pics. They all look pretty much the same as far as the feathers. The only difference I see are their combs. But what do I know. Thanks in advanced for everyone's help and input.

 

[The Happster]

Here we go. I finally got some pics. They all look pretty much the same as far as the feathers. The only difference I see are their combs. But what do I know. Thanks in advanced for everyone's help and input.View attachment 2305806View attachment 2305806View attachment 2305807View attachment 2305808View attachment 2305811

Congratulations on all your new sons....
Instant bachelor pad, right there.

 

[Climax]

Here we go. I finally got some pics. They all look pretty much the same as far as the feathers. The only difference I see are their combs. But what do I know. Thanks in advanced for everyone's help and input.View attachment 2305806View attachment 2305806View attachment 2305807View attachment 2305808View attachment 2305811

I think you got 12 chicken dinners right there. You got some bad luck dude.