Sara-W Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) I have 3 new chicks about 12 weeks old their mother was a red/brown hen unsure of breed and dad a lavender araucana. They are very sweet, 2 have absolutely no combs and one has a suspicious small comb There were other chicks when I chose them that had obviously larger combs and wattles but this chick I am unsure of. Apart from the comb the chick has no sign of any wattles and has a slightly redder face than the other 2. They all have tufts on their heads and the chick in question has more tufts on his/her cheeks. Is there any chance that this could be a hen or have I got myself a cockerel? Edited August 3, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Sounds a possibility. Any pictures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-W Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) I will try to get some pics but can't promise any I am completely useless with that sort of thing Sara x Edited August 2, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-W Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 Hope this works, The more I look, the more I think its a cockerel Here are some pics of the girls to compare Sara x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I think you could be right. S/he looks altogether different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-W Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 I am sure now that he's a cockerel Just let Ritchie out into the run, my dog walked past and he made quite an impressive attempt at crowing -4 times !!! I don't know who was more shocked me or the dog I didn't think he would be crowing so soon! He then went on to eat his breakfast! I don't know what to do now I informed my next door neighbour of my suspicions a couple of days ago to which she laughed and said that she wouldn't mind us keeping a cockerel and she liked the sound of a cockerel crowing, I know there's one quite close to us and I like to hear him crowing. The children love Ritchie already but I suppose it would depend on how much noise he makes and if he is agressive or not Could anyone share any experiences good or bad that they've had with keeping a cockerel? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsley Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I had a Buff Sussex bantam cockerel, Fred, when I had my first batch of chickens a few years ago. It was lovely to watch him look after his three girls, always giving them the juicy bits he found around the garden first and always being the last to eat. The noise was never an issue as we did not let him out of his house until when we went to work at 7, and when we got up (a lot later!) at weekends. They tend to crow when first let out to re-establish their territory and check no other cockerels have moved in over night. There would then be periodic "test" crows occassionally throughout the day. He could sometimes hear the cockerel over the other side of the village if the wind was in the wrong direction and a crowing contest could take place for a while! The only time he got aggressive was in the Spring when the sap was rising and only ever to my husband. I was considered another hen as I would behave like one - going to see what he had found when he chook chooked etc. My husband was another male though and so Springtime competition........ He would try to attack him in the garden especially if he strode purposfully, a gentle meander lessened the issue. A cockerel is a very proud , pompous creature so to stop him we would pop a large cardboard box over him for a few minutes, just enough to burst his bubble and show him who was top cockerel!. This worked a treat and was only needed a few times each year. He was great fun and added a whole different dimesion to chicken keeping. I only have hens now as my next door neighbour has two cockerels (inspired by my chicken keeping). They are penned up all day separately with a few hens each, but not shut in their house all night and so start their crowing at first light - 4am in June. I love country noises but am finding these two a little tiresome......... This is just my experience and, as in everything, different breeds and different birds will all be individual. I have been told that the smaller the cockerel breed the more of a headcase they can be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 We have a very large cockeral and he is the noisiest bird. If we didn't live in the country with a very long garden he would have had to go. Having said that he is also the best bird in my flock - friendly to humans (will sit on you given half a chance, loves a good old stroke) and very protective to his hens (finds food for them all the time and guards them whilst they rootle about). He also loves jumping on them so they are now all sporting saddles to protect their backs. He inspects the house each time I clean and often helps one of the girls whilst they lay. He has a whole language of sounds (I know when he's a happy boy and he can mimic laying hens). I adore him to bits. However, the noise is a no-brainer - if we had complaints he would have to go. When its sunny he can start at 4.00am and he has a go on and off (maybe once every hour/couple of hours) till about 18.00 in the evening. Its just his wellbeing but it is very LOUD! However, not all birds are this loud - fingers X for your boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
