Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Equestrian & Livestock => Topic started by: Wolfdog2314 on April 23, 2016, 06:42:06 PM

Title: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on April 23, 2016, 06:42:06 PM: I'm new two chickens and have 6 under the lamp currently. But about a month ago I had this straggler find itself wandered onto my property. So I put it in the coop and I'm hoping it's a hen cuz it's a pretty dang cool chicken. Super friendly and curious. I've watched some videos and read some articles on sexing chickens. But what do u think?
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on April 23, 2016, 06:51:00 PM: It's a hen :tup:
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on April 23, 2016, 06:55:25 PM: The wife and I are debating this right now. Haha

Why do u say hen so surely? (I'm sure it's easy for some people, I'm clearly new to the chicken game)

I'm not seeing any wattles, which makes me think hen.
Yet the tail feathers seem more pointy and less defined like a rooster.

Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: rackattack on April 23, 2016, 06:59:34 PM: Looks like a Barred Rock hen to me. Comb is pretty light colored and it lacks wattles. I've got one very similar and it's about 2 1/2 months right now.
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Old Dog on April 23, 2016, 07:34:19 PM: It's a hen. No comb, no waddles, and no spurs.

This is a rooster:
(https://images.meyerhatchery.com/ProductImages/BARS2001.gif)
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: huntingfool7 on April 23, 2016, 07:37:46 PM: Quote from: rackattack on April 23, 2016, 06:59:34 PM
Looks like a Barred Rock hen to me. Comb is pretty light colored and it lacks wattles. I've got one very similar and it's about 2 1/2 months right now.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on April 23, 2016, 07:52:16 PM: Awesome guys thanks! Sounds lame, but I was getting attached to this damn chicken and didn't want to have to eat it :chuckle:
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: LDennis24 on June 03, 2016, 12:36:42 PM: I think it's hard to say it's a hen. Where about's do you live? Anywhere near Deer Lake? Some gal brought me one just like that and she said it just wandered in one day and it turned out to be a rooster. He's meaner than a snake now too but it keep's the cat's and raven's away from the chicken coop. The color of his (your chicken's) waddle's and comb look dark and it look's pretty young. Does it have knobs on its legs where the spur's are developing?
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Encore 280 on June 03, 2016, 12:46:54 PM: It's Bruce Jenner!!!! :yike:
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on June 03, 2016, 01:07:02 PM: I say it is a hen, I look at the comb (or lack of one) and tail feathers.
A rooster will have a more pronounced comb, and longer, narrower tail feathers. wont have wattles, or spurs until older.
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on June 03, 2016, 04:05:56 PM: I'm in La Center. And luckily she, Darla, haha is and has always been a hen! Since growing my own chicks I'd estimate she wondered into my care when she was about 6 weeks old or so. She's now doing well with my 2 month old chicks!

Thanks again for the ID help. I've been learning a lot about these birds.

Quote from: LDennis24 on June 03, 2016, 12:36:42 PM
I think it's hard to say it's a hen. Where about's do you live? Anywhere near Deer Lake? Some gal brought me one just like that and she said it just wandered in one day and it turned out to be a rooster. He's meaner than a snake now too but it keep's the cat's and raven's away from the chicken coop. The color of his (your chicken's) waddle's and comb look dark and it look's pretty young. Does it have knobs on its legs where the spur's are developing?
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: lokidog on June 03, 2016, 08:19:59 PM: Ha ha. I was going to say hen as well since it does not appear to have any hackle feathers in your photo, either on the neck or in front of the tail.

My first chicken was a rooster I ran down in the bushes along a road by Shelton. No houses nearby so was either dropped or ran away.
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Widgeondeke on June 06, 2016, 10:26:53 AM: agree that is a young un still.
Hens/pullets have a comb and waddles, just not as big as a cockerel.
usually by 4 months old the cockerel with give you audible signs he is destined for the fryer. visually it is about the 16-20 week time frame also.
I did have a Rhode Island Red hen that had a comb twice the size of the others.

If I had to guess..... Barred Rock pullet(female less than 1 year old)
Title: Re: Hen or rooster ID
Post by: Katmai Guy on June 06, 2016, 11:01:42 AM: If it crows, its a rooster, if it lays an egg, its a hen? :dunno: