Odd chicken question

notjustair · Jul 22, 2013

I've got a first! I bought 25 new layers and had 8 more hatch to add to them - no roosters!

Have you guys ever had a mute rooster? There is a RI Red in the bunch that looks to be a rooster but I have no crowing. They are nearly 3 months old - it should have started crowing a month ago. It doesn't seem bossy and isn't bothering the hens. Maybe it is just a hen with a thyroid issue? I don't usually keep roosters in with the layers as it just seems to have them more stirred up and they don't lay as well. Also, the city folks who buy eggs get a little freaked out by a small spot in an egg.

Shall I cull it just to be safe - I don't want any freeloading chickens!

Mike (WA) · Jul 22, 2013

I love it! A stealth rooster! I'm sure that would be considered an evolutionary advance- the stealth factor gives him a survival advantage, because he won't go in the stew pot because of his annoying crowing.

Try giving him to science, rather than the barbecue. . .

randallinMo · Jul 22, 2013

You're right about those roosters keeping the hens stirred up all the time. On the other hand, I"ve had roosters that would warn the hens of an over head flying chicken hawk and would round up all the hens back to the chicken house. He was pretty good at it. You must be better than me at picking out the roosters at three months. I never could tell "for sure" at that age. I'd give the poor thing a chance to prove he's a rooster. You could be butchering one of your best hens and not know it. I don't keep roosters anymore either. The last one got really aggressive and would attack my wife. He did that to me one time and that was his last. He found out he was no match for a 6'1", 250 pound fat guy. I'll give him credit, he didn't go down easy,

rabbit-1 · Jul 22, 2013

Always thought chickens to ba a it odd, but...

Think you're asking questions maybe you don't want the answers to....

Got a grill, frying pan, stew pot or pressure cooker?

Bob Bancroft · Jul 22, 2013

The person with chicken experience here(wife) agrees with Randall. Give it a little time.

cb · Jul 22, 2013

i dont know that much about

i dont know that much about RI chickens, but if your familiar with leghorns, the hens have a very large comb, biger than some breeds of roosters. and of course the rooster will have an even bigger one. i would wait and see. somebody will want him

Dick2 · Jul 22, 2013

Maybe he's just "one of those". (Looks like a rooster but really isn't).

old · Jul 22, 2013

I always make sure I have a rooter or 3 in with my hens. It is said that the eggs are better for you and all. As for crowing give it time

chevytaHOE5674 · Jul 22, 2013

Never noticed any difference in egg production or hen temperament with or without a rooster. A good rooster will warn the hens or predators, find food for them, round them up at night, fight to protect them, etc.

Give it time until you know its a rooster as it could very well be a hen because at 3 months its hard to tell.

JDNewbie · Jul 22, 2013

How close are you to Lawrence? It might be one of those "transgender" chickens otherwise known as a "Jayhawk".

EMAW

Ron W · Jul 22, 2013

Need more time to develop crowing. We, the family have been raising since the 1910's. It seems the past 15-20 years the breeding to develop quicker chickens to market are also slowing down some for the other developments. I got mine a day old the end of march, and one just started to crackle and crow the past week.

todd hamilton · Jul 22, 2013

Does it wear penny loafers and crow with a lisp??? Bahahaha

Dan in Ohio · Jul 22, 2013

My (6) chickens are about three months old and suppose to be all hens . Ya right all but one. Started noticing his rooster look at two months of age. He is crowing like a pro now, at least he is getting better, it takes some practice to get it right.

<a href="http://s614.photobucket.com/user/DaninOhio/media/photo-194.jpg.html" target="_blank">

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This is the second bunch we have had solely to amuse THE grand daughter .

Dr. Walt · Jul 22, 2013

He's not crowing because he can't get a word in edgewise, he's too busy being "hen pecked". LOL

GordoSD · Jul 23, 2013

Did you build that coop/ It's great. Do all the hens have access to both levels?

oldtanker · Jul 23, 2013

We have a roster now that we got as a "layer". He didn't start crowing until he was about 6 months old. He's getting cooked here pretty soon.

Rick

Odd chicken question

notjustair

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Mike (WA)

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randallinMo

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rabbit-1

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Bob Bancroft

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cb

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Dick2

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old

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chevytaHOE5674

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JDNewbie

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Ron W

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todd hamilton

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Dan in Ohio

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Dr. Walt

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GordoSD

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oldtanker

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