Should my 7 week old Rooster be trying to mate?

[mmccoy]

Christian is the one on the right. He was caught jumping on the back of one of my 8 week old chicks last night.

I keep trying to deny he is a rooster but with the crowing and now this I guess I've come to accept that Charity is now Christian and I have a rooster to re-home.

Is this normal behavior at this young age? First time chicken owner. Thanks for any and all replies.

 

[Judy]

Haha, I don't know that there IS a "normal" for them! If there is, crowing or trying to crow before 8 weeks isn't normal, either -- but it certainly does happen. I've read of their doing it at 2 weeks, even.

I'm no expert at guessing sex, but I do see a redder comb and a sort of "stretched out" stance (or longer neck) in Christian that I've seen in my own male chicks.

 

[iwiw60]

Christian is the one on the right. He was caught jumping on the back of one of my 8 week old chicks last night.

I keep trying to deny he is a rooster but with the crowing and now this I guess I've come to accept that Charity is now Christian and I have a rooster to re-home.

Is this normal behavior at this young age? First time chicken owner. Thanks for any and all replies.

Oh, he's a ROO alright!

 

[keesmom]

The one on the right is a cockerel. I'd also keep an eye on the one on the left too.

 

[mmccoy]

Yep, the one on the left let out a crow 2 days ago. After they did a little dance all fluffed up today I am convinced I picked the 2 roosters out of 100 that were suppose to be 98% pullets.

 

[RoosterHuggerLiz]

Aww cute boy's, Good luck with the rehomeing