Telling someone they have a rooster...

[Iluveggers]

So an acquaintance of mine has chickens that are about 8-9 weeks old. I saw their chickens today, and she was commenting on how beautiful one of them was...”isn’t she beautiful? What a beautiful bird she is.” The birds comb was huge & bright red. It was accompanied by a nice large red wattle. I didn’t say anything, as in her eyes I am a newbie (she doesn’t know I’ve been chicken sitting for years, and even without that experience BYC has taught me sooo much about sexing chickens. I don’t have a picture (thought it would look weird if I asked to take a pic), but is there any way a hen could have a comb and wattles before 10 weeks? Should I have said something about maybe her being a cockerel? Maybe I’ll bring it up next time if you guys think I should. (Or not if you don’t). Thanks! She had another hen the same breed with no red. No comb. No wattle. I believe they were Domoniques.

 

[PoultryCQ]

So an acquaintance of mine has chickens that are about 8-9 weeks old. I saw their chickens today, and she was commenting on how beautiful one of them was...”isn’t she beautiful? What a beautiful bird she is.” The birds comb was huge & bright red. It was accompanied by a nice large red wattle. I didn’t say anything, as in her eyes I am a newbie (she doesn’t know I’ve been chicken sitting for years, and even without that experience BYC has taught me aooo much about sexing chickens. I don’t have a picture (thought it would look weird if I asked to take a pic), but is there any way a hen could have a comb and wattles before 10 weeks? Should I have said something about maybe her being a cockerel? Maybe I’ll bring it up next time if you guys think I should. (Or not if you don’t). Thanks! She had another hen the same breed with no red. No comb. No wattle. I believe they were Domoniques.

10 week old females, no matter what breed, have either no wattle, or a small wattle. A small comb, or no comb growth. If the bird has a large set of wattles and comb at 10 weeks, its a male.

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I had a similar situation. I thought that their favorite chick was a cockerel, but didn't have the heart to tell them that....

 

[JedJackson]

Well, if there is an opportunity in conversation where you feel comfortable telling her you think it might be a boy, then do it. Don't just say outright that it is a cockerel, because then it becomes a challenge, and she may give you a bad reaction. Just suggest it. And if she insists it is a female, then drop it.

Often people need to figure these things out for themselves. She's gonna know in a few weeks when it crows, anyway, so you're not doing any harm by keeping what you know to yourself. I guess I'm saying that you should follow your intuition based on what you know of your friend's personality and her past behavior.

 

[3KillerBs]

If you do not feel comfortable telling her, you can just not say anything. She will find out soon enough.

This.

If she didn't ask for your opinion it's probably better to not offer it.

 

[PoultryCQ]

Thank you. It wasn’t even small. But I definitely didn’t want to be wrong if I decide to say something!

Leghorns develop faster, but a large wattle is still unlikely for a 10 week old. Do you know the chicken's breed?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

If you do not feel comfortable telling her, you can just not say anything. She will find out soon enough.

 

[Iluveggers]

10 week old females, no matter what breed, have either no wattle, or a small wattle. A small comb, or no comb growth. If the bird has a large set of wattles and comb at 10 weeks, its a male.

Thank you. It wasn’t even small. But I definitely didn’t want to be wrong if I decide to say something!

 

[Lollychicken]

A picture would be easier. What colour were the legs?? I know you can get cuckoo leghorns so that could explain the early developing of the wattles and comb

 

[CluckerFamily]

If she still thinks it is a hen, the next time you see her you could ask her how far they are away from laying. And that that one (the one with the red comb) must be the one that will lay first. You could then laughingly say that when you saw her the last time you actually thought it was a cockerel.
Hopefully with the laughing, it will be funny and if you are right, well done!!