When can I be sure my hen is not rooster?

[EggWalrus]

Definitely a rooster. I see pointed hackle and saddle feathers.

Even on a "sweet" rooster that squats for other roosters, the saddle feathers don't lie!

 

[Chickassan]

Time to ask the neighbors if they like roosters.

 

[meetthebubus]

He is pretty imo roosters don't crow too much I have 3 crowers it's mostly in the morning, when I come home, or if the hens are hungry
Early morning you should lock him up in a coop so those 3 am crows don't disturb and offer free eggs to closest neighbors then you may get to keep him good luck!

 

[IamRainey]

Yeah, it's been becoming clear to me by degrees over the last wee or so.

Each time I went out to the coop I would think, OMG that's a beautiful bird! And he will be.

I've written to My Pet Chicken which charged me for a hen. I suspect they'll say, "Oh dear. We're sorry but tough luck".

I'll miss the lovely chocolate eggs I was looking forward to but I'm more concerned with how my neighbors will deal with the crowing. I never intended to inflict it on them but there he is!

 

[EggWalrus]

I'm more concerned with how my neighbors will deal with the crowing. I never intended to inflict it on them but there he is!

If the neighbors live in houses that aren't stacked on top of each other, they may never hear them. After my house burned without insurance, I had to buy a trailer. And even as thin walled as it is, I can barely hear 30 roosters crowing outside.
Talk to your neighbors and bribe them with eggs if you must. If you have a jERky neighbor, move the birds to the opposite side of your house. You can also plant shrubs, hedges, and especially banana trees that will help keep the volume lower.

 

[IamRainey]

We live on half-acre lots. There are 5 households around me that will probably be able to hear him.

Of the 5 I'm most concerned about 1. I sent them an e-mail this morning to let them know what will be coming up. We decided to play it by ear and I'm encouraged that they're open minded about it. I'll have 6 hens laying in the Spring so I'll be able to share.

And who knows about the Spring after that?! I may be handing eggs out to anyone who passes by.

PS Another of the 5 neighbors within hearing range also has chickens . They may be OK too. Maybe they will even want some fertilized eggs.

BTW, how will I know if eggs have been fertilized?

 

[IamRainey]

It's Maurice for sure!
Mary

My husband says if he's going to be Maurice he may explain to us what the hell the pompitous of love is...

 

[IamRainey]

I contacted My Pet Chicken and they will refund the purchase price for M. Maurice.

I almost didn't even bother to write them because I thought they'd say "oh dear, what a shame, we're sorry but what can we do?".

Every single contact I've had with MPC has been satisfying and thoroughly pleasant. Can't recommend them enough!

 

[aart]

Sometimes it can take up to 17 weeks to determine sex. By then in most cases you should know.

Marans are pretty easy to tell by 6 weeks...combs tell the tale on the males.

 

[MissChick@dee]

He’s beautiful!