Was given this chicken...please help sex!

[silkielove319]

We were given this "hen" of unknown breed (Rhode Island Red??). Supposedly she's/he a couple months old but hasn't started laying and we thought we heard her crowing this morning. Please help! I live in a very residential area!!

 

[junebuggena]

That is a Production Red cockerel.

 

[Michael OShay]

That is a Production Red cockerel.

Agreed; if he came from a hatchery, his red shade is light enough (close enough to chestnut) that he might have been marketed as a New Hampshire.

 

[K Spot]

That is a Production Red cockerel.

I agree

 

[Cowgirl71]

Definitely 1000% a cockerel, sorry.

Breed-wise, like Michael said. New Hampshire or Production Red.

 

[chickenpatch]

Hmm

 

[donrae]

Give him right back to the person who dumped it on you.

 

[chickenpatch]

Since he is such a large breed he will be harmful to your tiny little silkies in the coop at the back. I suggest keeping them separated until you sort something out.

 

[chickenpatch]

Hang on a sec, has anyone considered this to be actually a hen?

I know the sheer size, huge comb and large legs immediately sparked people to go, 'Yep, rooster'. And yes, I agree it is a cockerel too.
But now that I look closely the comb is the only decent 'giveaway' of the sex. No saddle feathers or cape feathers are visible to be growing. Plus the tail only has 'hen' feathers. And on top of that, 'he' isn't growing any spurs.
In some breeds the legs are known to be huge looking. So that's not a reliable option.

In this case only the comb is the confusing part. But then again, in some breeds the hens have huge combs and wattles too.

I've had chickens for years and always get the sexing right. Trust me, I know my stuff.

I would wait until 'he' is definitely starts crowing. But of course we need to consider his age. I also think he is a cockerel so far, but could be either way.

One question... Could you describe the behaviour to me? Is he dominant? Bossy? Sassy? Shy?

I'm not trying to spark something here, but do any other chicken people follow my train of thought?

 

[fshinggrl]

I agree that it is a cockerel. Saddle feathers will come. Sorry. You say he is a couple months old. General hens won't lay until around five months old, so there would not be any eggs. Saddle feathers come around the ten week Mark...