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Safe to assume by 17 wks that I don't have a roo?

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by dulcimer lady, Jul 31, 2010.

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  1. Jul 31, 2010 #1
    dulcimer lady

    dulcimer lady Songster

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    My dh is really chomping at the bit to go buy a roo...today. And I'm fine with having one but just want to know that he's the only one. I have a flock of 9 that are 17 weeks old. They are all supposed to be pullets - but bought them at tsc and you know how that goes sometimes. No one is acting macho out there and everyone gets along. Some do have quite a bit of red around their faces but I've seen plenty of pic of females on here who look like that. I'm not sure I can hold dh back....but don't want roos fighting either. What would you do?
     
  2. Jul 31, 2010 #2
    OrloffTom

    OrloffTom Chirping

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    Jul 27, 2010
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    Check and see if any of them have the different feathers towards it's tail. A rooster's tail is different than the hens so you should be able to tell by now. Mine are 16wks and I could really tell a few weeks ago. Anyway hope that helps. If you had pictures I'm sure we all could probably tell you for sure.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 31, 2010
  3. Jul 31, 2010 #3
    oldchickenlady

    oldchickenlady Songster

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    I bought 12 that were supposed to be all pullets...6 RIR's and 6 Buff O's. Well, it was apparent by week 7 or 8 that one of them was 'different'! His comb and wattles were way more obvious than the girls'. I don't now what kind of chickens you have, but I would think in most cases you would be able to tell by 17 weeks if any of them were roos. Except for silkies...I've never had silkies, but I can't tell anything about them except they are fluffy! [​IMG]
     
  4. Jul 31, 2010 #4
    sourland

    sourland Broody Magician Premium Member 9 Years

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    EE can hide their masculinity for quite a while. Any other of the standard production breeds should be exhibiting secondary sex characteristics by now: crowing, greatly enlarged comb and wattles, pointy hackle feathers(neck), pointy sickle feathers(back and flanks). Silkies are also good at the metrosexual look.
     

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