Roosters or Hens?

[subhanalah]

They are probably 4-5 months old tops! Here are some more pictures! I'm not familiar with all the "breed" names yet so forgive me for being kinda clueless! I'm going to number them and you kind chicken lovers can tell me your thoughts.

#1 (white/black) pullet or cockerel? Breed? cockerel - easter egger

#2 (black/brown) pullet or cockerel? Breed? pullet - gold laced mix?

#3 (black/white) pullet or cockerel? Breed? cockerel, I think SLW mix? If 4-5 months, should have sickle feathers, so not sure?

#4 (brown/white) pullet or cockerel? Breed? Hard to say, I think I see a curly sickle feather coming out of its rear? If so, cockerel

#5 (gold) pullet or cockerel? Breed? pullet, no idea on breed some buff mix

#6 (blue/grey) rooster I'm quite certain buuuut pullet or cockerel? Breed? cockerel

#7 (black) pullet or cockerel? Breed? pullet not sure on breed...are some of these rumpless?

I'm a little curious about your cockerel though. Here's my boy (3 months or 13 weeks) and he has lots of beautiful curved sickle feathers already.

His tail is down in the first one because he is intimidated by me if I'm paying attention to him (like trying to take a picture) he runs away from me.

 

[Mpace]

They could be as young as 3 months but definitely no younger. I don't think they are rumpless. This straight run group has definitely turned out to be more testosterone than planned! They all get a long great (for now) and we even have 2 ducks who stay in the coop with them. We also let them free range and most eat out of our hand and aren't super skiddish! We do have 7 pure bred hens that are mature and laying already along with 2 other buff Orpington roosters that are brothers around 1-1 1/2 years old.

 

[Mpace]

 

[subhanalah]

There they are! They've just been torn up. How much space do they have down there? It may be time to expand or cull a few roos.

 

[Mpace]

The first picture I posted was when we first got them. The 2nd picture with lower quality was taken about 1-2 weeks ago. That's how "he" ? LOL looks now. There are 7 chickens in a 10x10 coop but they free range almost all day! I hardly ever see any fussing or plucking amongst the group. Matter of fact this one is no wuss.

 

[subhanalah]

Yeah, you just have too many roos and not enough space for them now that they've gone hormonal, lol. The little turkeys.

 

[Mpace]

Riiiiiight! Oh my lanta! What in the world am I suppose to do with all of them? The Orpington roosters are 24/7 free range! We will have guineas in approx 2 was that will be free ranging as well! We have plenty of outdoor space. We live in the country. I just didn't think you could have that many roosters co-habitating. :/

 

[subhanalah]

It'll only get worse as the youngsters age.


When I find out I have a cockerel, I set a date with the rabbit wringer and it's over before I know it.

 

[mlrod1914]

Just finished reading the thread. Unfortunately, there might need to be some flock maintenance here. In the wild the competing roosters would fight each other to the death. Too many rooster will lead to some dead or very damaged hens. I would start thinking about rehoming some of the roosters or thinking about wrapping your mind around culling some of them. Figure 1 roo to every 5 or 6 hens. And sometimes even more than on rooster is too much. Sometimes one it too much! Sorry to be the barer of bad news. This is true even if they are free range.

 

[Mpace]

I know! That's what I just told my husband! I've grown attached so eating is a no go :/ we will probably get rid of them or trade them for some hens from the lady we originally got them from. Straight run = epic fail!