Rooster or hen?

[SpicyDisaster]

I know the black ones not the same breed, I didn't have a pic of the other one up because we know he's a rooster

Definitely both cockerels with those saddle feathers. Crazy that you got 3 out of 4, the sexing accuracy is usually around 80-90% depending on the hatchery. I'm not sure where TSC sources their chicks from though.

 

[Kotofskys]

Ah, gotcha. Both pictured are male.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Agreeing with everybody on this thread.

 

[Kotofskys]

Definitely both cockerels with those saddle feathers. Crazy that you got 3 out of 4, the sexing accuracy is usually around 80-90% depending on the hatchery. I'm not sure where TSC sources their chicks from though.

Yes! That's what I was thinking. She told us about their wings when we got them "you can tell they're hens because their wings are like a butterfly verses straight" she said. And we knew absolutely nothing until we joined here. Everyone's been helpful.

 

[Iluveggers]

Just an FYI. If you keep just the 4 birds you have, your poor pullet will be over mated by the 3 boys who will probably fight for dominance.

Might want to rehome 2 of them & get a few more pullets, preferably from somewhere w a sexing guarantee. Very likely that straight run birds were consolidated into a pullet bin & the TSC employee had no idea.

 

[Kotofskys]

Just an FYI. If you keep just the 4 birds you have, your poor pullet will be over mated by the 3 boys who will probably fight for dominance.

Might want to rehome 2 of them & get a few more pullets, preferably from somewhere w a sexing guarantee. Very likely that straight run birds were consolidated into a pullet bin & the TSC employee had no idea.

Yeah we're looking into getting rid of a couple. We also found us a place that's guaranteed we just got to go get them now. How many hens per cockrel should it be roughly?

 

[Iluveggers]

Yeah we're looking into getting rid of a couple. We also found us a place that's guaranteed we just got to go get them now. How many hens per cockrel should it be roughly?

That varies. Personally I would only have 1 roo with up to 10 hens, but there are some on here who have been ok with a smaller ratio. Although I think most of them free range all day and have ample coop space. Depends on how the roos get along, how “active” they are with the pullets, & general temperament.

 

[Mrs. K]

If this is your first year - get rid of all three of them. A hen only flock is a much nicer way to get experience. If you are getting chicks, that too will be a bit hard to mix with the single pullet. Might be better to let her go too, and start over.

Mrs K