rooster

[kbeagle]

When does the young rooster start crowing and my chickens is about 8 weeks old and is there anyway you can tell which one is rooster?

 

[can you hear me now?]

I would say if you can look at the feathers around the base of the neck, or the tail and they seem to be sharper so to speak then more than likely a rooster, on the other hand the best way I have been able to tell is that they have larger combs, possible wattles showing or starting to show and the comb is redder in color to the pullets of the same age.

 

[MaineChick]

It apparently varies a lot, from just a few weeks to 20, depending upon breed and perhaps upon how much they have to say.
I've got 2 Buff Orpingtons that seemed to have much redder combs than the other 4, and a hint of wattle. They are 8 1/2 weeks old, and just a few days ago "Samantha" crowed, a pretty respectable crow, too. The next day he (now "Sam") managed only a rusty gate sort of noise, but I'm sure it was meant as a crow. The other one has not crowed, but is getting arrogant with the other chickens so I think she's a he, too.