Roosters or not?

[Chris H.]

i have four faverolles chickens. Two are tan. And two are black. The two tans are females I know for sure and the black is a rooster but I can tell if the other black is a rooster or not. I am confused because it is slightly bigger like the black roosterand has a bigger redder comb but has no long tail feathers likethe other lack rooster. I am including a picture of each black and one of both side by side. I just wondered if any one knows this breed enough to tell me if I have threehens and one rooster or two of each?

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• Chris H.
• Nov 27, 2017

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• Chris H.
• Nov 27, 2017

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• Chris H.
• Nov 27, 2017

 

[Chickassan]

All the black ones are little roos. The one fella just has a short tail,my roo had the same in fact his tail is still pretty short.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Cockerel

My knowledge of this has nothing to do with breed, but roosters are noted for developing wing and tail feathers more slowly than hens do, to the point where a short tail in a young chicken is considered one of the signs of a cockerel. Further, any comb that large and red before they've started to lay means rooster.

 

[Chickassan]

Fav roos don't get much in the way of a long luxuious tail. This persons little roo actually has one of the longest tails I've seen. Curious if he'll keep it into maturity.

Cockerel

My knowledge of this has nothing to do with breed, but roosters are noted for developing wing and tail feathers more slowly than hens do, to the point where a short tail in a young chicken is considered one of the signs of a cockerel. Further, any comb that large and red before they've started to lay means rooster.

 

[poultry person]

Look like roos to me!

 

[The Moonshiner]

With Faverolles the two sexes have different patterns.
The black ones are always males and the the tans are always females.

 

[Chris H.]

All the black ones are little roos. The one fella just has a short tail,my roo had the same in fact his tail is still pretty short.

So if I have two Roos and two hens that means I have four roosters and 25 hens. I was hoping to only have two roosters at any given time but I hate to kill these guys just because. I was thinking of trying to get ride of one of the Roos or slaughter one. The polish Roos are not worth eating from their size.

 

[Chris H.]

Fav roos don't get much in the way of a long luxuious tail. This persons little roo actually has one of the longest tails I've seen. Curious if he'll keep it into maturity.

I plan on keeping the longer tail rooster, yes. Might try sell the other one though.

 

[Chris H.]

With Faverolles the two sexes have different patterns.
The black ones are always males and the the tans are always females.

Well that makes it easier. I wondered if the color had nything to do with it. I need to get a few more hens if I want keep the two roosters. I love this breed so far. They are so friendly.

 

[Folly's place]

Favorelles are wonderful birds! You will need MANY pullets if you want to keep both cockerels! I'd recommend that you watch them grow, and pick the nicest one to keep. That's not the one that's 'in your face', but the one who moves away from you, and watches out for the pullets.
Get more Favorelles! They tend to be very sweet, and don't manage well with birds that are pushier. No sex-links or production reds, especially!
Mary