What gender are these chickens?

[Lauren24]

Hello all
I rescued 3 chicks and want to keep them as backyard chickens and just wondering if anyone can tell me the gender of them (I’m hoping for hens as I live in surburbia) I got them all at one week old but one is a bit larger and longer comb but the other two are different sizes too? They are about 7 weeks old now and at what age do they normally crow? I can’t find much info on Cornish cross as people only have them for meat...also any tips on how to keep them healthy and not get too large thanks

 

[cavemanrich]

They sure do look like Cx to me. There is good news and bad news. Depending on your views. Cx are intended for meat. They do not make very good pets since they will not live very long. They are eating machines. They suffer from broken bones and heart failure. Both due to rapid growth and heavy weight. I'm not sure the roosters even crow.... They are just busy constantly eating.
I had one that was about 1 year old. Was size of a turkey. I gave her away.
You can probably have one live for almost 2 years if you ration the feed and keep chicken hungry all the time. I do not have any other suggestions.
Her is a pix. Was too heavy to roost, so always stayed on floor in coop. I did not place her on roost also, because of the likely possibility of breaking bones upon landing.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Lauren.
Unfortunately I would say you have at least 2 cockerels there if they are 7 weeks but I am no expert on meat birds.
You must be doing a really good job because they look well and have much better plumage than most Cornish cross I have seen. I have read that they actually have sweet natures and make good pets apart from the fact that they tend not to live all that long. I have also read that keeping the food and water as far apart as possible encourages them to keep fit by walking between the two rather than just sitting at the feeder and guzzling themselves to death. Rationing their food and perhaps scattering it or lifting the feeder up off the ground so that they have to stand to eat may also help keep their legs strong but obviously don't do that if you have one that starts having difficulty with weight bearing.

I wish you luck with them. It might be helpful to monitor their weight by weighing them weekly, so that you can adjust their feed if they suddenly start to put on too much in a short space of time.

Best wishes

Barbara

 

[Lauren24]

Thank you so much for the info! I hope they don’t crow as I want to keep them all, yes I’ve heard they won’t live that long but as long as I can give them a healthy life and not end up on someone’s dinner plate I’m happy haha. I have been restricting their diet a lot and they run around after the dogs a lot so hoping that keeps them fit! Should I give them any calcium supplements to help with their bones? Thanks

 

[Lauren24]

Hi Lauren.
Unfortunately I would say you have at least 2 cockerels there if they are 7 weeks but I am no expert on meat birds.
You must be doing a really good job because they look well and have much better plumage than most Cornish cross I have seen. I have read that they actually have sweet natures and make good pets apart from the fact that they tend not to live all that long. I have also read that keeping the food and water as far apart as possible encourages them to keep fit by walking between the two rather than just sitting at the feeder and guzzling themselves to death. Rationing their food and perhaps scattering it or lifting the feeder up off the ground so that they have to stand to eat may also help keep their legs strong but obviously don't do that if you have one that starts having difficulty with weight bearing.

I wish you luck with them. It might be helpful to monitor their weight by weighing them weekly, so that you can adjust their feed if they suddenly start to put on too much in a short space of time.

Best wishes

Barbara

Thanks for the info! I have been running them around every day and make them run to me for their food haha and also the dog chases them.. (he’s a chihuahua so he’s harmless) the comment above says they don’t crow? Have you heard about that with neat chickens? Thanks

 

[lena_]

Hi Lauren, welcome to BYC! They look in pretty good health for Cornish Crosses, you are doing well. It looks as though you have two males(first and last pics). It may be good for them if you scatter their food in the grass, that way instead of gulping it all down, they'll have to scratch for it.

Shell grit may help with their bones, it's worth a shot!

You are doing very well with them, thank you for being there for them.

 

[lena_]

Hello all
I rescued 3 chicks and want to keep them as backyard chickens and just wondering if anyone can tell me the gender of them (I’m hoping for hens as I live in surburbia) I got them all at one week old but one is a bit larger and longer comb but the other two are different sizes too? They are about 7 weeks old now and at what age do they normally crow? I can’t find much info on Cornish cross as people only have them for meat...also any tips on how to keep them healthy and not get too large thanks

Also, by rescued what do you mean? Where did you rescue them from? Just curious

 

[Lauren24]

Hi Lauren, welcome to BYC! They look in pretty good health for Cornish Crosses, you are doing well. It looks as though you have two males(first and last pics). It may be good for them if you scatter their food in the grass, that way instead of gulping it all down, they'll have to scratch for it.

Shell grit may help with their bones, it's worth a shot!

You are doing very well with them, thank you for being there for them.

Hello thanks for the reply!
Damn I’m hoping they don’t crow or my neighbours are going to hate me haha, thanks for the tip on shell grit. They fell off a truck carrying 100s of chicks so I rescued 8 and kept 3. Thanks

 

[rebrascora]

I don't think there are enough Cornish x cockerels that make it to the age where they might start crowing for there to be a consensus of opinion on the matter. I would be surprised if they don't, but doubt they will be very active crowers because it takes effort and being so big they may not be bothered much to do it.
You will need to keep a close eye on things when they sexually mature as two big guys like that trying to mate a single pullet could make her life a misery. Do you have any other chickens?

 

[Lauren24]

I don't think there are enough Cornish x cockerels that make it to the age where they might start crowing for there to be a consensus of opinion on the matter. I would be surprised if they don't, but doubt they will be very active crowers because it takes effort and being so big they may not be bothered much to do it.
You will need to keep a close eye on things when they sexually mature as two big guys like that trying to mate a single pullet could make her life a misery. Do you have any other chickens?

Hello
Thanks for the reply
Yeah I could not find any information on them as they are usually slaughtered early... but I’m hoping with a good diet and exercise they will live a normal life.. I have one isa brown that tolerates them haha but if they do try mate I will be separating them. If they do crow I will have to take them to a sanctuary anyways