What I didn't consider when ordering cute fluffies. RIP Petunia.

[ADozenGirlz]

When purchasing our 14 sexed fluffy butts this summer, I had no idea that I was going to be forced to make some hard decisions at some point after I had become attached to my two roosters. This was not an aspect of backyard chicken-keeping that I was prepared to handle. Sexing at the hatcheries is only 90% and I miss my 10% BR rooster, Petunia. RIP Petunia.

Petunia at 7 weeks old when we thought he was a "she", September 6, 2009 @ 7wks old:

8 months old, March 6, 2010:

Doing the rooster Happy-dance:

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

He is a very handsome bird.. I would miss him too...

 

[Kelly G]

Sometimes it just has to be. Regrettably. At lease Petunia had a nice life while there with you - your grounds look really nice!

I received an order of 21 straight run bantams a couple of weeks ago. I'll be giving away some roos in the near future (my husband doesn't want to do the deed - so we'll let someone else).

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Ohhhh......that is heartbreaking. Those are really beautiful chickens!

 

[beckymom3]

He's gorgeous!

Is he a naughty boy or just not what you want for breeding?

Too bad you aren't in TX, I'd come get him from you!

 

[Tecalli]

ADozenGirlz, I am so sorry Petunia turned out to be he. But I am very thankful for your post. After going back and forth last summer I decided to get my first three at 8 weeks of age to ensure I was getting girls. But even then I had anxiety over whether my barred rock Ester was a she when the man who delivered our new John Deer riding mower insisted Ester was male. Several pics of Ester were immediately posted to BYC and I felt a little better when SpeckledHen and several others said Ester really seemed like a female to them. Luckily, Ester laid an egg at 6 months of age.

I now want to add a couple to my flock and was thinking of going with chicks this time. Although 90% accuracy does seem like a lot on sexing, I realize I am just not comfortable with that 10% chance of error.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
It is stressful finding out you have a rooster when you're not supposed to have one! Thanks for writing.

 

[Cluckette]

What a gorgeous handsome roo!! Awwww so sorry

Amazing how attached we get to these beautiful creations of God! But our lives are blessed and they bring us joy too!

 

[ilovechickens]

I ordered all meat/egg laying combinations just for that reason, and with some only allowing straight runs, I needed to make sure that they were dual birds, it still is sooooooo hard. But your boy is a beautiful Roo!!

 

[kittykorat]

My GLW turned out to be a roo. Luckily I was able to re-home him.. found a local who had recently lost her roo to a hawk... My Cockeral was BIG, perfect for her little farm. It took 2 months to find him a home... luckily he had only just started to crow when I found someone...