Total chicken greenhorn! Pullet or roo help!

[rjandlily]

My seven year old daughter's class hatched chicks. We brought them home thinking we'd only have them for a couple of months but have fallen in love! No idea what kind they are (mixed Ameraucana, Barred Rock, Wyandotte ???). They will be 3 months old on July 24th. The bigger grey/white one started crowing about 3 weeks ago in the mornings only but intermittently (getting more consistent lately though). From my research and their personalities we pretty much think the brown is a pullet and are thinking the grey/white is a roo due to the crowing and long tail feathers (even though I've read all over bossy hens can crow too...and this is definitely a dominant bird) but the lack of a wattle (how long does it take for wattles to start forming?) is still giving me a glimmer of hope that there's a chance of a girl in there (Can't have just one hen with a rooster...we definitely can't add any more). Any thoughts from the way more experienced out there? I have wanting to ask this on BYC for weeks but have been too scared to...like I said in the title...Greenhorn (Hope I used the correct vernacular and spelling in my message)! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[GitaBooks]

Welcome to BYC! So glad you could join us!


The first one is an Easter Egger or an Easter Egger mix and the other one, the Barred chicken, is probably a Barred Rock mixed with something, possibly a Wyandotte.
The barred one is a similar color to Crele. He is a rooster, as the comb is pretty big and bright for just 3 months of age. The other does appear to be a pullet.


We love talking about chickens, so feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[enola]

A three month old chicken that is crowing is a rooster.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. Do not be afraid to ask questions - this is one of the friendliest forums that you will ever find, and everyone is here to help you. The gray barred bird is a cockerel, and the other is a pullet - they are Easter Eggers.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Do not be afraid to ask questions - this is one of the friendliest forums that you will ever find, and everyone is here to help you. The gray barred bird is a cockerel, and the other is a pullet - they are Easter Eggers.

I agree on all counts.

 

[rjandlily]

I am so sad!! There is no way we can keep just the two of them together right? A rooster needs more than one hen to keep him "satisfied", yes?

They are attached at the "wing" and I would never separate them. And they are both so sweet and loving and have become part of the family.

 

[sourland]

A lot depends upon the temperament of the rooster. In most instances a one to one ratio will not work, but in some cases it does.

 

[rjandlily]

I guess we will see what happens...and hope for the best! I will keep babying him in hopes that he will be nice!

 

[rjandlily]

Thank you everyone!!

 

[Michael OShay]

I am so sad!! There is no way we can keep just the two of them together right? A rooster needs more than one hen to keep him "satisfied", yes?

They are attached at the "wing" and I would never separate them. And they are both so sweet and loving and have become part of the family.

On rare occasions a rooster can be so gentle with a hen that the two of them are fine together, but that is the rare exception and not the rule. The recommended ratio of roosters to hens is 1 rooster for every 10 hens. As they mature and their hormones kick in, too many roosters will normally become very hard physically on the hens; over-breeding them, biting and plucking the feathers from their necks and backs, battering them and potentially, seriously injuring them. The only reason you really need a rooster is to fertilize eggs for hatching, and 1 rooster can easily handle 10-15 hens in this regard.