Shouldn't, but WANNA keep a possible rooster - need advice!

[tulie13]

I agree with the idea of waiting until you are sure to make any decisions. First, however, is it legal to have CHICKENS where you are? If not, a crowing rooster might draw attention to the rest of your non-annoying but also illegal hens. That could bring you trouble.

If it's totally legal to have the hens, definitely wait until you know for sure, casually mention it to your landlady that you "might" have a rooster, but gosh, heck, what do you know - it's a different breed from the others so OF COURSE it looks different. Then mention that "gee, if it IS a rooster, maybe we could try it out anyway and see if it bothers you or anyone else... I've been reading a lot about chickens and it sounds like some roosters crow at odd times and some crow at normal times, some crow a lot and some crow a little... you just never know..."

My chickens are "technically" against my neighborhood covenants, and this could only be fully/legally addressed by getting 2/3 of the people on my whole street (which is 1/2 mile long) to sign a covenant change. I'm sure most wouldn't want to do that, because they might not want the neighborhood to turn into a farm. But I spoke with my next-door neighbors on both sides and told them I wanted to get HENS for eggs, and would they mind? They both said not at all, and then I broached the idea of an "accidental" roo (due to sexing errors) and promised them that if I ended up with one and he bothered them AT ALL I'd get rid of him. They were both very casual about it, saying "no problem" and they usually slept with a fan on or something anyway.

Good luck, keep us updated and if you want to post pics in a couple of weeks, most board members could probably tell you the sex - I had 8 RIR that were supposed to be pullets, all turned out to be roos. Heck, after my misadventure, *I* could probably tell you what it is!!!

 

[RevaVirginia]

Had a RIR thought was a rooster, seemed to me the spur was growing and more of a strut. Was disappointed and already decided I'd have to make the behavior decision. But he's laying eggs now..so I'll keep him.

Might be better to just give the chicken up early if you do indeed find it's a rooster since you can't have one there, less heartache. But having a rooster is really rewarding in many ways. Don't think I'll ever not have one..or more, depending on the number of gals.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Post pictures if you can, a lot of folks can tell by looking at them. At 4 weeks the main indications you'll see are comb size/color and emerging wattles. As early as this some rooster chicks' combs begin looking more reddish-pinkish (the hens' will still look peachy-yellowish) and sometimes their little wattles begin to sprout under their chins.

But you're smart to start considering your options right now, before you even know for sure. Before you get emotionally attatched & knit this bird its own Christmas stocking. You promised your landlady NO roosters, you need to keep your word on that. Or re-open the discussion about keeping one. You don't want to violate the trust your landlady has in you. You also need to find out the laws about keeping roosters in your neighborhood in case your landlady agrees to let you keep one. You say that other folks keep roos near you, so perhaps the policy isn't really a strict one.

There are many compelling reasons for keeping a rooster, especially a nice mannerly one. But not every rooster is a gentleman, and many of them aren't worth keeping anywhere else but on a plate.

 

[gryeyes]

I mentioned to my landlady (who lives on the same acre lot - she's in the front house and I'm in the back house) that Rhoda may turn out to be a Rudy.... and before I could say anything else, she said, "Oh, how nice! You'll get fertilized eggs, which are healthier for you, and if you miss an egg or two you might get some chicks, too!"

Uhhhh... you wouldn't mind?

"Only if he beats up on the hens, some roosters are mean. And if you end up with two, you WILL have to get rid of one."

Oh wow. All that angst..... I guess I promised her something without even guessing she wouldn't mind! I am SO relieved.

And Rhoda is starting to get wattles, just a tiny sliver of 'em. The comb is peachy-yellow, and more prominent than the Plymouth Rock hen's..... the Amereucana doesn't seem to HAVE a comb at all, just a smooth patch where one might be. Everybody else is still a couple of weeks younger than those, so I can't compare 'em.

So if Rhoda does turn out to be a Rudy, everything is still okay.

 

[The Zoo]

Fabulous! Nice landlady.

 

[patandchickens]

LOL, you have a much much cooler landlady than any I've ever had

See, sometimes life does hand you a freebie

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Uppity Peon]

Quote:
I'm glad you will get to keep him if he turns out to be a he.
But I want you to see a picture of one of my RIR pullets. She was about 20-22 weeks old here.

 

[gryeyes]

That's a pullet??? See how new I am to this chicken thing! I actually thought only roosters had combs before I started visiting BYC a little more than a month ago. And then when I read some posts saying "no tail feathers, early comb" probably meant a rooster, I figured, that's what I got here with this RIR. Luck of that 90% accuracy in vent sexing by the feed store/breeder supplier.

Rhoda and Hillary

Side view - more comb, no tailfeathers

And my current fav photo of the little beggar: