Visiting chicken from the neighborhood: hen or cockerel?

[Ganesh-Saahd]

Hi guys

So, there's a chicken that has been visiting my flock. Probably from the far neighbor.

On afternoon, I went to check on the free ranging hens in my backyard. They were eating in their run... With a new chicken. I don't own a white hens

My bully tried to make her law, but quickly calmed down and let that new chicken feed and scratch around...

It's back this morning. Came 4 times yesterday. I'm beginning to think it may be stuck outside of its coop. They are not always here, the neighbors. They are renting the barn and living elsewhere.

Anyway. I think it could be a young rooster? I mean, he's trying its best to go in the pen, lunging himself at the wire and all. My hens are curious. One of my youngest, the skittish one, is not even afraid of that new chicken (and is still terrified of the rest of her flock).

I think it's a leghorn.
What do you think? Hen of cockerel?
Something I could do? I don't want to let the girls out with it outside. I don't want fertilized eggs. I don't have the phone number of the neighbors and they are not here as I said. I cannot catch it either.

It is the only one roaming around. Also, I find it dirty of the bottom. I don't want it to infect my flock...!

Thanks!

 

[igorsMistress]

I see a hen there, no saddle feathers. If it's locked out then your place might be the only one where it can find food. It could be someone turned it out for some reason as well.
Do your neighbors have white chickens?

 

[featheredplanets]

Leghorn hen. It may be a good idea to try to trap her in a dog crate until you locate her home. She could have worms, lice or even diseases that you don’t want your girls getting.

Edited for grammar : )

 

[neo71665]

X2 look like a hen to me.

I'd lock the chickens up in their coop and open the run door to see if she will go in. Free chickens are the best, but yeah try to keep her separate until you can see if she has any cooties.

 

[Ganesh-Saahd]

I see a hen there, no saddle feathers. If it's locked out then your place might be the only one where it can find food. It could be someone turned it out for some reason as well.
Do your neighbors have white chickens?

I have no idea! Their chickens are not free range (except this one hahahaha!)

I let it feed, drink and hang around. The girls are very accepting/sweet with it.

I don't see those feathers too. I was wondering if it could be a very young rooster and the feathers will come in time?

If it decide to stay, we'll see quickly of it lay white eggs or not

I'm trying to contact the neighbor.

 

[igorsMistress]

I have no idea! Their chickens are not free range (except this one hahahaha!)

I let it feed, drink and hang around. The girls are very accepting/sweet with it.

I don't see those feathers too. I was wondering if it could be a very young rooster and the feathers will come in time?

If it decide to stay, we'll see quickly of it lay white eggs or not

I'm trying to contact the neighbor.

I think it's a girl. The comb is and wattles look about right to be full grown or nearly so and if it was a roo you'd be seeing those saddle feathers already with a comb that big. Pretty girl though!

 

[Ganesh-Saahd]

So the neighbor call me back.
It's a her. There's only one.

She doesn't have a flock, poor thing this is why she's hanging out in my backyard with my 8 girls.

They are all vaccinated, dewormed regularity. I'm not TOO MUCH worried.

 

[neo71665]

Poor thing, being only one she gonna be over at your place often.

 

[Ganesh-Saahd]

I will ask her owner to keep her and provide some eggs in exchange. If she has only one hen, it's certainly only for the eggs

 

[Ganesh-Saahd]

And my skittish one is really comfortable with her, which is nice