what are you?

[debid]

I'm not really sure... I see nothing in these pictures that suggests plucking- what I do see is barely any spurs yet and the overall size of him suggests a young bird. I have a blue copper marans in the yard that is now just over 13 weeks and his looks as thin as this guy. And he is going through his juvy molt.... although is just barely starting to loose his feathers now. I see occasional blue feathers in the pen and there is only one other blue in there with him.

It was the OP who said he showed up in rough shape and missing half his feathers. And yes, he's obviously young since he isn't showing his rooster feathers yet or crowing. I'd guess ~3 months old. Heck, maybe he was missing his back and tail feathers simply because they hadn't come in yet! It's hard to say when we only see the "after" photo. My point was that he might have run from an unhappy home. Or, someone realized he was a boy and they dumped him. Either way, I doubt his previous owner is looking for him.

 

[AggieBri]

Here is a picture I took of him one of the first nights he showed up. You can kind of see his back with missing feathers. His tail feathers were also missing. Wish I would have gotten more pics of him then...he was so straggily and ugly


SIDE PIC OF HIM/HER NOW....

 

[AggieBri]

When would a "spur" start growing? I have half of my chicken expert friends saying hen, and half saying roo. Do you guys need upclose pics of anything on her/him? He jumps right in my lap for string cheese and its pretty easy to get pics....

 

[hdowden]

around a year old is when the spurs start to grow although i do have an oegb that is a 1.5 years that has yet to develop his spurs

he doesn't appear to be copper as he has no copper at all, splash yes. as for gender i want to lean towards a cockerel based off of comb and wattles or should i say pure copper marans

 

[debid]

My rooster didn't have spurs until 6 months and I have 3 hens with spurs. They are not your best indicator.

As I mentioned before, the red on the wing is decisive but I understand that you really want this to be a girl and you are hearing mixed things.

 

[NovaAman]

I say boy... I see the beginning so of saddles on him. To much color in the neck to be a girl. I'd also say he should start crowing soon. Some do take longer to crow... OR will crow when they get comfy.

Neighbors picked up a bird from the local auction. They were told it was a POL pullet. It was missing tail feathers and back feathers. I asked them if they were sure, it looked pretty roo-ish to me... Well lo and behold, a month later, tail feathers, saddles, hackles, and even bigger comb and wattles and the biggest crow. Lovely bird.

 

[AggieBri]

Okay, I've conceded to this rooster thing. We don't want to get rid of him because we love him, but now all I need to know is if I get some hens, will I always be looking out my window to see him humping them? I had a much different version of owning chickens in my head

 

[hdowden]

i must admit though that is the first time i have read that question

no you wont see him jumping the girls all the time i hardly ever see mine do that (although i know they do since i have hatched chicks from their eggs) and my parents have about 50 and as much as i am at their house and out around the chickens with my kids (mind you this is about 4-5 hours at a time) i only see that happen in the different pens maybe 2-3 times in that time frame

 

[TexasWolf]

so whats up?

 

[heath_elisha]

Okay, I've conceded to this rooster thing. We don't want to get rid of him because we love him, but now all I need to know is if I get some hens, will I always be looking out my window to see him humping them? I had a much different version of owning chickens in my head

He will on occasion, but mainly he calls for the girls when he finds food- keeps them in check when something startles him to be on alert. He has a job to do- with benefits lol but it isn't bothersome... at least not with my rooster