White Leghorn: Pullet or Cockerel?

[Peep's Family]

An update: we have swapped out our two barred rock roosters for hens from the same brood. Everyone is getting along famously in the coop. Peep seems content with his new coop-mates, too focused on eating to pay them much mind. He did, however, bite me today for the first time ever. I assume that's just roosterly behavior. After many tears our daughter has resigned herself somewhat to Peep's early mortality, but I'm thinking when the time comes we have quite a few more tears ahead of us. And so we are initiated into the world of backyard chickens. Thanks to all of you for your help.

 

[Teva]

How old is your daughter? Mine is 9 and very tender hearted. We lost 4 chicks this month due to cocci protozoa and she took it pretty hard. We decided not to name the 6 left until they are out of the brooder and outside living it up.

Since I buy lots of whole chicken when it's on sale, we have roasted chicken, chicken soup, and dumplings quite often. If I had a meat rooster like yours, I probably wouldn't even tell the kids, and just pass it off as one of the many from my freezer!

Good luck to you.

 

[stormylady]

Hi, I had 2 Cornish X's and I didn't have the heart to butcher them either, they lived to 26 and 28 weeks, But the older they got the harder is was to watch them walk and get around so I'm not sure now if I would let them get to that point again, if I were to get anymore. Even when I restricted the feed they still grew so fast. I do wish you the best no matter what path you take with him. Sandy

 

[Teva]

I put my 6 week old LHs and Buttercups out to the coop yesterday. Whoohoo 6 chicks left in the brooder! Does anyone else think that "whitey" is a roo? One other LH is finally growing her comb,

 

[Teva]

Here's another picture of Whitey

 

[Teva]

I guess nobody wants to take a guess? Well, if I have to wait, I guess I hope it lays an egg instead of crows.........from what I understand, LH roosters are not much fun....I have an BO that I think is a roo, I might keep him around since I've heard their temperament is better. We shall see......

 

[silkiechicken]

You have two roosters in that picture, both in the middle of your last post.

You may want to post a new thread on these birds in this section. The original post on this thread is from 2008, which is why many may not be looking.

 

[Teva]

Thank you Silkiechicken! How is it you are in Everett AND Corvallis? LOL I grew up in Eugene, my Grandma was born (1913) and raised in Corvallis.

 

[chickldymachias]

looks roosterish to me, as well as one in back far corner, but I am still a newbie here!

 

[silkiechicken]

Thank you Silkiechicken! How is it you are in Everett AND Corvallis? LOL I grew up in Eugene, my Grandma was born (1913) and raised in Corvallis.

What I call home is in Everett. That is where my chickens and gardens are. I am in Corvallis for grad school and my parents care for the stuff there. Hope to be done in just over a year! It is a small world! I bet Corvallis was a tiny tiny town when your grandma was here! Such a small world!