I'm afraid my 4-wk old RIR is a rooster. I keep hoping "she" is just a late bloomer, and her tail feathers will start looking like those on the Ameraucana and Plymouth Rock - Barred pullets of the same age. There's a stripe of feathers starting to grow out of the fluff right down the middle of Rhoda's back, instead of the "cushion" that is already well filled on the other two.
Granted, they're all different breeds.... so comparison isn't the best match.
I have three 4-wk old chicks, the ones already mentioned, a 3-wk old Astralorp, and 2-wk old chicks: one BO and one SLW.
I love all six of the danged birds, already. There is no "No Rooster" law in my neighborhood, and I do hear a rooster or two fairly near by. I promised my land-lady I'd only keep hens. The feed store said they'd take back any rooster and replace it with a hen (but they're not selling chicks any more this time of year). I don't particularly want to deal with a crowing rooster in my own yard, either.... but.....
But I don't wanna give Rhoda up. I want her to "stay" a pullet. But if she turns out to be a rooster, I still don't want to give him up.
Could I get some comments from folks about the reasons to KEEP a rooster? Plus some cons, for ummmm..... balance..... and to help me make an educated and reasoned decision if Rhoda should require a masculine name change.
Thanks!!
Granted, they're all different breeds.... so comparison isn't the best match.
I have three 4-wk old chicks, the ones already mentioned, a 3-wk old Astralorp, and 2-wk old chicks: one BO and one SLW.
I love all six of the danged birds, already. There is no "No Rooster" law in my neighborhood, and I do hear a rooster or two fairly near by. I promised my land-lady I'd only keep hens. The feed store said they'd take back any rooster and replace it with a hen (but they're not selling chicks any more this time of year). I don't particularly want to deal with a crowing rooster in my own yard, either.... but.....
But I don't wanna give Rhoda up. I want her to "stay" a pullet. But if she turns out to be a rooster, I still don't want to give him up.
Could I get some comments from folks about the reasons to KEEP a rooster? Plus some cons, for ummmm..... balance..... and to help me make an educated and reasoned decision if Rhoda should require a masculine name change.
Thanks!!