ROoster or not

[riversedgefarms]

We got 30 chicks almost a month ago. 10 of them(americaunas) were not sexed so I am looking for ways to figure out which are roosters compared to hens. I have attached 2 pictures of 2 of our americauna chicks to give an idea of size. If someone can give me tips that'd be appreciated.

 

[Mrs Howey]

Roos tend to be more aggressive, mine would chest bump each other with their hackle raised when they were a few weeks old. Combs and wattles grow larger and turn a deep red. At 10-12 weeks of age the saddle and hackle feathers become more prominent. Roo hackle and saddle feathers are pointed (on most breeds) and hen feathers are more rounded. Then there is the crowing (hens can sometimes crow too but its mostly the roos)

 

[dfalco]

Nothing shouts rooster in those pics, to me. Unless there is specific coloring for roosters of that breed. But it may be too soon to tell by the feathers.

 

[riversedgefarms]

Roos tend to be more aggressive, mine would chest bump each other with their hackle raised when they were a few weeks old. Combs and wattles grow larger and turn a deep red. At 10-12 weeks of age the saddle and hackle feathers become more prominent. Roo hackle and saddle feathers are pointed (on most breeds) and hen feathers are more rounded. Then there is the crowing (hens can sometimes crow too but its mostly the roos)

We haven't had any be aggressive yet. So I don't know if they are still to young to do that. They were all hitting each other when we put them into a bigger pen to choose the pecking order and we haven't had any of the crow yet. They have all just been chirping like usual. What exactly are the hackle and saddle feathers?

 

[dfalco]

I found this pic online that shows where they are.

 

[azygous]

At four weeks, it's a tad early to be able to see the first signs of a developing cockerel. In two more weeks, those combs should be going from yellow to yellow-orange, then quickly to red in a matter of days.

At the same time, you should be able to part the feathers on the back and find the first colorful saddle pin feathers, a color the females won't have.

So be patient for another week or two, and you'll then know for sure.

 

[EricaCAL]

OH! What a gorgeous pullet!!! I think hen from that pic but I am not experienced, just starting out but I have read about 10 books on chickens. Either way she/he is gorgeous!!! I am praying mine are all hens but if we have a roo I will just buy the "No-Crow Collar" cause parting with any of my babies would be near impossible!!! GOOD LUCK!

 

[RodNTN]

They are both very beautiful, but a wait another week or two to sex.

 

[riversedgefarms]

OH! What a gorgeous pullet!!! I think hen from that pic but I am not experienced, just starting out but I have read about 10 books on chickens. Either way she/he is gorgeous!!! I am praying mine are all hens but if we have a roo I will just buy the "No-Crow Collar" cause parting with any of my babies would be near impossible!!! GOOD LUCK!

What is a no crow collar? I have never heard of those before. And thank you! I am hoping they are hens. I don't want to part with them.

 

[EricaCAL]

What is a no crow collar? I have never heard of those before. And thank you! I am hoping they are hens. I don't want to part with them.

Here is a link to the No Crow Collar on MPC. It sounds like its worth a try to save our Roos (if we have any!!): https://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Supplies/No-Crow-Rooster-Collar-p1580.aspx