What breed and gender is my new bird?

[muddyfeet]

I just inherited an 8 week old bird with a pea comb, 4 toes, yellow legs, early indications of a crest, and indeterminate feather pattern. I’m leaning toward a polish cross. I get the bird because the previous urban owner thinks it’s a cockerel. I’m not sure of that either.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I honestly couldn't guess the breed, but I do believe it's a cockerel. It's really pretty, can you try to get pictures of it standing?

 

[featheredplanets]

Mixed breed cockerel

 

[cstephens1987]

Mixed breed cockerel

X2

 

[muddyfeet]

Definitely cockerel. Crowing his fool head off this morning. Sweet bird at this point. He’s been handled a lot. Never had a rooster before. I’m really sure now he’s a Polish cross. I’m reading that the roosters are pretty nice birds. Anything else you wish you’d known when you got your first roo?

 

[featheredplanets]

Definitely cockerel. Crowing his fool head off this morning. Sweet bird at this point. He’s been handled a lot. Never had a rooster before. I’m really sure now he’s a Polish cross. I’m reading that the roosters are pretty nice birds. Anything else you wish you’d known when you got your first roo?

I can’t own roosters so can’t give much advice, but from what I’ve read it’s best not to handle cockerels too much and let them be wary of you; as when they start to think of you as a flock member, that’s when they become aggressive. Not sure if this 100% correct but it’s what I’ve read on here.

 

[muddyfeet]

I can’t own roosters so can’t give much advice, but from what I’ve read it’s best not to handle cockerels too much and let them be wary of you; as when they start to think of you as a flock member, that’s when they become aggressive. Not sure if this 100% correct but it’s what I’ve read on here.

That’s interesting—I read a site that said handle them so you can catch them when you want to (parasite check, etc.) but you also have to establish dominance. Not sure how that’s done, really.

 

[cstephens1987]

My boys only get upset when I handle their ladies. They don't like me messing with them much either but they're not aggro unless I'm messing with a girl

 

[featheredplanets]

My boys only get upset when I handle their ladies. They don't like me messing with them much either but they're not aggro unless I'm messing with a girl

Your pfp is so cool!

 

[cstephens1987]

Your pfp is so cool!

Thanks. My cockerel loves puffing up and just so happened to startle the one girl while he was at it and I just so happened to be filming. It was great.