I always walk away with some tidbit of information that I did not have before. I only have few months age difference but all bantams and 2 hens were raised together. They are consistent and prolific egg layers, with good ones laying 200-300 eggs per year, which converts to 5-6 eggs per week. You will soon be able to spot the roosters among the hens. One does not need a male Rhode Island Red for the hen to lay eggs. At 0-6 weeks, you will notice that the wings of your chickens are different. Depending on your neighbor, it may be a short drive. Your regular barred chickens can be turned from black and white striped to blue and white striped! 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved. These types of people exist. Blue Australorps are just like their Black Australorp relatives, just a different color! The Genetics Behind BlueChicken Breeds with BlueThe Most Common Blue Chicken Breeds1. Some hens imitate roosters and might start crowing at this point. Blue does work on colors other than black, though. Your Rhode Island Red is considered a teenager at 4-17 weeks. Your email address will not be published. If you look carefully you will see them standing taller and being bolder. Unlike the Dutch, they arent known for going broody. One good reason to have a rooster is that you want chicks! Also, they dont take up much room, and they eat less grain than their standard-sized cousins. Breeds include theBovanNera(sometimes called Black Rocks or Black Stars) in which Rhode Island Reds are crossed with Barred Plymouth Rocks. Black sexlinks are made by breeding a barred hen with a non-barred rooster. ). They also recognize bantams with blues like the Ameraucana, American Game, Andalusian, Belgian Bearded dAnver, Cochin, Langshan, Modern Game, Old English Game, Orpington, Plymouth Rock, Rosecomb, and Wyandotte. Roosters of all types will breed hens, but when picking your best rooster breed, there are a few things to consider. Here are the main differences between Rhode Island Red hens and roosters and how you can tell the difference from an adult age all the way down to baby chicks. Whiting True Blues is a fairly recent breed developed by Dr. Tom Whiting. If you want something on the larger side, Id suggest getting a standard Cochin, Brahma or Langshan, since the larger they are, the more easy-going they tend to be. With roosters you will see them developing larger combs and wattles. One of mine will grab food from the others too. As with all things chicken, leg thickness is not uniform across all breeds. Other colors include blue wheaten, blue breasted red, blue golden duckwing, blue silver duckwing, lemon blue, and even blue Colombian. If there is any apparent danger they will round up your hens and shepherd them away from the danger. Holding a chick upside down. Otherwise they adopt a more submissive role and let the rooster be out in front and in charge. For the new farmers without this ability, the best time to distinguish your chicks is when they are 6-8 weeks old. Other layers of large brown eggs include the Delaware, Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Rhode Island White, and Sussex. Roosters also have saddle feathers in this area. They fall on the sides in a waterfall shape. It is a Rhode Island Blue (RIRxAustralorp). A convenient benefit is male and female chicks are different colors. So now you know your roosters from your hens. A walking, squawking, feathered alarm clock with rooster spurs, set to crow at sunrise every day may drive them insane. Our rooster (surprise! Roosters don't. Ta-da! I Want My Free Ebook On Egg Laying Chickens, Many breeds have blue individuals or include some color that is influenced by blue. You'll notice that Rhode Island Red roosters stand more upright, at about 20-22 inches in height, weighing about 15 pounds. One last anecdotal test. Question: Is it ok to have two roosters or should I find a home for one. If he sees something suspicious he will sound the alarm and lead the hens away from danger. The article is just fine as written, and I appreciated reading it. Rhode Island Blue15. In theory roosterslet their feet dangle while hens draw up their legs. Yes, I am crossing my Blue Rock rooster to the Rhode Island blue hens. The best place to find breeds that are recognized in blue would be your countrys poultry association. Disclaimer: LearnPoultry does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Sometimes, a rooster does a little dance for the hen to squat for him to mate. A Rhode Island Red is considered an adult at 16 weeks old. Originally published in the June/July 2020 issue of Backyard Poultry and regularly vetted for accuracy. If you introduce a behemoth of a rooster into a flock of hens that are of small stature, they probably wont breed, or worse, theyll injure your hens. They are considered a large standard bird. They can be a little skittish or nervous, so if you want a friendly hen you may be disappointed. It can work with the right flock and roosters, but you need to be pretty experienced. This spot will be lost when your bird sheds it down to replace it with feathers. They start growing at around three months. I am a poultry breeder and have years of experience of life on a farm. The flight feathers on your female chicks wings are usually longer than the males, but the male has bigger developing tail feathers. Your best rooster breed for protection will be aggressive and assertive but have a certain level of amenability. Your email address will not be published. If you do notice aggression in the flock then you may wish to separate the roosters or rehouse one of them, but its not always necessary! Several methods can determine rooster vs hen traits (including some which are breed-specific). A male Silkie's legs are thicker and have more feathers. The neck and shoulder area will usually be adorned with hackles. There are three. Plymouth Rock. There are a few ways to tell the difference between hens and roosters as chicks and they include: Autosexing: The sexes of some breeds are easy to spot at hatching because of different coloration or other characteristic. The Rhode Island Red hen is a beautiful bird with a shiny red body, black and white neck, and black tail feathers. Blue Rock12. Rhode Island Blues are a medium, production bird - an excellent layer of large brown eggs. For each of the stages of development from chick to adult we will explain the key visual differences between roosters and hens. The hen lays about 170 eggs per year, which is higher than her male counterpart. Remember, young Rhode Island Red females will not grow their wattles and combs for many months, whereas you can see the growth of wattles and combs on young males from as early as 6 weeks old! ISA Browns are another sex-link cross from stocks owned by the multinational poultry corporation ISA Institut de Selection Animale. On young roosters, the tail feathers are rounded, a little pointy, and not well-defined. An obvious clue of a 12-week-old cockerel is its long, arched tail feathers, known as sickle feathers. Saddle feathers, as the name implies, are located on the back just above the tail, right where a saddle would fit. Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Then, of course, there are tail feathers, for which strutting roosters are justifiably famous. Most people think crowing is the ultimate test of a male, and for the most part, theyre right. Ta-da! There are many awful stories out there about aggressive roosters, but they are in the minority. I enjoy working with them. When startled by a noise, boys pull themselves up and issue a warming peep, whereas girls usually crouch down and stay silent. What have your experiences been? My post was a simple call for clarification and I wont be replying anymore to those who feel the obvious need to continue to attack an old post. He follows us everywhere and has been curious about everything since he was a chick. Your answer to these questions will also largely dictate what breed you pick. Rhode Island Blues are a medium, production bird - an excellent layer of large brown eggs. The Crevecoeur of France is often black but can be found in blue. The Read More , My chicks are about 8 weeks old and one is definitely male. Blue Cochins can easily be found in both standard and bantam. Remember, size does matter. She is also great at keeping your coop clean by picking up droppings from the floor of the coop or enclosure. Barring is a recessive trait that is only carried on the male chromosome. Anyone thats owned Rhode Island Reds will attest to just how amazing, wonderfully well-mannered, and beautiful these creatures can be. Roosters will be larger than hens. A disgruntled neighbor, regardless of local regulations, can make things harder than they need to be. White Crested Blue Polish is a fun variety that is very appropriately named! Raising Goats The Complete How To Guide, Guinea Hen: What is a Guinea Fowl, Eggs, and All You Need To Know (Complete Care Guide), 10 Best Chicken Show Breeds (And Why Theyre a Keeper! We do want chicks but we do not want an aggressive rooster that attacks us; weve had that and we had to dispose of him. However sex-linked birds will not breed true. Whats your pick for the best rooster breed? Roosters will also have tail feathers (also known as sickle feathers) which gives them shape. We have over a dozen roosters at our rescue. If youre looking for a rooster to protect your girls, I suggest a mid-sized breed. Roosters will have a larger comb and wattles. document.write(CurrentYear) These feathers are beautifully designed to fall gracefully around the shoulders. Rhode Island Red hens will often start laying eggs at 18-20 weeks though a few will begin at 16 weeks old. I have found that my roosters are often the chicks that were the most easily handled and didn't mind being cuddled. Even the experts are wrong 10% of the time, hence the occasional oops in the sexed chicks you buy. Hackle feathers are the long flowing feathers that grow around the neck of a rooster. Hens that wander off alone are more likely to get picked off by a predator, so an effective rooster will keep his hens in a group, and chase wanderers back to the safety of the flock. Chickens and More 2023 - All Rights Reserved, Chick To Adult Life Cycle Differences Explained, visual differences between adult rooster and hens here, 10 Best Ways To Keep Chicken Water From Freezing, How To Candle Eggs: Definitive Day-By-Day Guide, What Is Rooster Aggression And How To Stop It, Sebright Chicken All You Need To Know: Color Varieties and More, Hatching Eggs For Sale: Top 14 Best Hatcheries, Duck Coops and Houses: All You Need To Know, Cinnamon Queen Chicken: Personality, Egg Colors and More, Barred Rock Chicken Breed Information and Owners Guide, Cuckoo Maran Chicks: A Complete Guide (With Pictures), 6 Best Heated Chicken Waterers (Reviews and Buyers Guide), The 17 Best Pet Duck Breeds For Backyards, Rhode Island Red Chicks: Top 5 Best Hatcheries. As for her behavior, you can expect them to be quieter and have a lower stance posture. When slow-feathering females are crossed with fast-feathering males, the male offspring are slow-feathering like their mother, and the female offspring are fast-feathering like their fathers, notes Dr. Jacquie Jacob from the University of Kentucky. If your young rooster is being aggressive toward any hens, that is a sign that he will be more trouble than help. They should be a high production (200-250 large eggs a year), brown egg laying breed. Hens rule as far as nesting and raising chicks go. There are also a lot of people new to chickens who dont know much about animals. A breed includes both hens & roosters. Learn about the different roles of the hen and roosters and you will become a great chicken mom or dad. Both should be firm to the touch, feel a little waxy and have good, deep coloration. Color Varieties Blue Silkie You want your rooster to defend the flock from a strange dog, cat, fox or aerial predator, not from you or your children. When you had 7 roos how many hens. Rhode Island Reds- we have 3, all fiesty. So how doyoutellaparta baby rooster vs baby hen? Astralorpes and Easter Eggers- both pretty calm. A good flock protection rooster doesnt need to be friendly, but for obvious reasons, he does need to be manageable. I have another Rhode Island Blue that seems more like a hen. He is a big Cuckoo Maran. Many poultry breeders know this and would roll their eyes at these replies I keep getting over a simple comment on grammar. He will learn from the head Rooster and the time will come when he issues a challenge for supremacy. They will look a bit puny to start with but eventually the pointed hackle feathers and the curving sickle feathers will give the typical rooster look. When raising roosters, read your neighborhoods law thoroughly. Each breed has its own average chickenality to consider, and different roosters perform different jobs better than others. Some of the breeds used to refine the desired hen include Java, Light Brahma, Brown Leghorns, Plymouth Rocks, and Chinese Cochin. Blue Laced Red Wyandotte11. When it comes to knowing whether your Rhode Island Red baby chicks are male or female, you may have to wait until about 6 weeks when you will start to see some clear differences in their wattles and combs. I have at least 2 roosters out of the six chickens that were born together. The most obvious and tell-tale sign you can tell youve got a male is by monitoring the growth of the wattle and comb. As you can see there are an unimaginable number of chicken breeds that have solid blue or blue patterned individuals! The older the rooster gets, the better his sickles will look. One of the more obvious differences between Silver Laced Wyandotte hens and roosters is the presence and size of their comb and wattles. Bovans Goldline chickens are a European sex-link produced by crossing Rhode Island Red males with Light Sussex. Sexing methods include: When chicks are just out of the shell and dry, the only reliable sexing method is examining the sex organs in their vents. I think readers understand what the writer means. These chickens are known as autosexing and includes breeds such as the Cream Legbar, Bielefelder and Jaerhon breeds. Now I know where to start looking. They are generally more subdued and quieter than their male counterparts. Are you wondering whether you have a rooster or a hen in your flock? The breed was started in 1854 when a sea captain bought a Malay rooster and mated it with his chickens. Those of the rose comb variety tend to weigh slightly less than their upright comb counterparts. You want your rooster to defend the flock from a strange dog, cat, fox or aerial predator, not from you or your children. Ours are still developing. Roosters are constantly on the lookout and an exceptional rooster will defend his flock to the death. If you dont agree with my comments, then by all means, skip over them. Many zoning rules include how many birds you can keep, and usually specify if you can or cant have a rooster. One cream gene turns a chestnut horse into a palomino or a bay horse into a buckskin while two-turn that chestnut to cremello and buckskin to perlino. Their appearance is quite different so it is easy to tell the rooster from the hen. As the flock leader, it is the roosters job to keep the flock safe, keep subordinates in line and mate with the hens as frequently as possible. Rhode Island Red Baby Chicks Male Or Female? She should blend in with the background and hopefully not be seen by predators. Luckily this popularity is making it easier and easier to find and anyone can add a fun splash of color to their coop. When a black-based chicken has TWO copies of the blue gene you end up with a splash. It is not always true that all RIR roosters are aggressive in nature. Their feather sprouts look all one length. If your chicken has beautiful long flowing hackle feathers then they are a rooster. If this breed sounds familiar you may have seen them listed as Sapphire Rock, Sapphire Blue, Plymouth Blue, and so on. I am crossing my Rhode Island Blue rooster to the blue rock hens. So if you have a chicken that is laying eggs they are definitely a hen and not a rooster. Barred Rock- smart, friendly, observant, loves to to held. Not all roosters are attentive. Little boys dont flee when you put a hand in the brooder theyre bolder. Youll notice that Rhode Island Red roosters stand more upright, at about 20-22 inches in height, weighing about 15 pounds. In this situation, youll want a bird with a large frame to carry the musculature you expect their progeny to grow. You are certainly reading into things, Nina, and my op is certainly old. The female at this time is called a pullet, while the male is known as a cockerel. Once your hens are mature enough to start laying eggs there will be some behavioral changes to note. They are still uniquely feathered and make amazing mothers! Ive never heard that in cattle circles either. Roosters dont. There is a bantam sized Wyandotte too that weighs 3-3lb. Your email address will not be published. Our blogs and articles are updated regularly with many different important topics on care, purchasing tips, fun facts, and more. This large and beautiful chicken will provide you with 4-5 light brown eggs every week - that is more than 200 eggs a year! Oddly enough, crowing does not guarantee that your bird is male. Water not only helps them to remain healthy, but it also means they keep providing you with a regular flow of fresh eggs. But the one is definitely the dominant one. Ive had several polish. Early crowing attempts by young roosters, which start around four to five months of age, are often comical. That means the female chicks will have 0 copies of the barring and the male chicks will have 1 copy. Even for someone with very little chicken knowledge, you can kind of guess it. To help you understand what chicks you are dealing with, here are all the main physical and behavioral differences between a hen and rooster of a Rhode Island Red. A mature or large RIR rooster weighs around 8.5 lbs and 6.5 lbs for a hen, while a bantam rooster weighs around 2.1 lbs. She will be lower to the ground and lighter in weight. Nothing nothing whatever indicates a chicks sex by the shape of its egg. If youve ever known a rooster youll know what I mean here! Its possible to have a lab check the DNA of a newborn chick using either down, feathers, blood, or the eggshell (after hatching). The black sex-link (also known as Rock Reds) is produced by crossing a barred hen with a non-barred rooster. Finally, there is the type of sexing best categorized as wivestales, whichis no more scientifically accuratethan random guessing. Im looking to breed my own broilers. Rhode Island Blues are a combination between Rhode Island Reds and Australorps. Some hens do crow occasionally, though not with the lusty assurance of rooster that comes with practice. Some breeds of roosters (notablySebrights,Silkies, GoldenCampines) lack both hackle and saddle feathers (theyre termed hen feathered), butamong most breeds,these are reliable secondary characteristics since only males have saddle feathers. This cross results in combination blue, red and black chickens. Despite their height, they only weigh around 9lbs. They protect their flock and are responsible for the welfare and survival of the flock. Friendly, curious. The feathers found around the neck are called hackle feathers. Or maybe a Wyandotte? Always the last back inside the coop. Coincidently, the neighbors cat is not a fan. Depending on your neighbor, it may be a short drive. Just like a cattle farmer will not have a cow breed nor a bull breed. Unlike a pullet, a cockerels wattles and comb will usually develop early and be larger. Below we will explain the common differences between roosters and hens. Once again, however, not every breed of rooster has large, showy feathers. I have also never heard of a bull breed or a sire breed. It is not routinely used as is claimed. A Rhode Island Red rooster will start crowing at around 16 weeks old. You might be surprised. If you're looking for a rooster to protect your girls, I suggest a mid-sized breed. Blue Breasted Red Old English5. They recognize Ameraucana, American Game, Andalusian, Newer breeds or hybrids that come in blue include the Blue Rock and, Blue Copper Marans is a blue version of the standard, Blue Rocks are actually a first-generation cross between the normal barred, Rhode Island Blues are another hybrid, but this time they mixed a, The Sapphire Olive Egger is a hybrid blue, As you can see there are an unimaginable number of, 17 Best Blue Chicken Breeds for Your Flock. The birds have medium-size wattles and red earlobes. Feather Coloration: Some breeds (such as Welsummers and Barred Rocks) can be sexed by their feather coloration. Hens feathers are usually more muted in hue than roosters. Sex Links: This involves using a particular breed of rooster with certain breeds of female to produce easily determined offspring such as Golden Comets and Black Stars. If your best rooster breed doesnt need tomeet a breed standard and you just want them to protect your flock,then you have plenty of options. Rhode Island Red Hen Vs. Rooster: How To Tell The Difference. What I stated is very true, like it or not and I continue to stand by what I said. By the way, a rooster can be an issue in any *breed*. However sex-linked birds will not breed true. In this case, correct grammar will teach correct terminology. Rhode Island Reds have a classification with the American Poultry Association, but it's unclear . However, I had one that was overly fearful, not nice to all the hens, and only attentive to some of the hens when free ranging. In fact, this is the main differentiator of hens and roosters in most chicken breeds, from. Table of Contents Yet most people want hens, not roosters. The color of their feathers is usually more subdued than the boys too. If you want to know more about chickens, quail, and goats, The Happy Chicken Coop is the place to be! It is also one of the most important. Where did these magnificent roosters get their start? Roosters breeds are roosters that belong to a breed, like I can name my german shepherd male as a male dog whose breed is german shepherd. If you are just starting out with chickens, or if you dont want to overcomplicate things, there are a few breeds with blue that can easily be purchased from large hatcheries or even private breeders. How else would one refer to a rooster, other than breed? Out of all the blogs I receive about chickens, I enjoy your articles the best! Its important to know your local regulations. These beautiful birds are white with splotches of black, blue, or grey. to consider when picking protective roosters; stature, attentiveness, and attitude. This merely shows whether an egg is fertile, not the gender. As she starts to look around for nesting spots, she will become more vocal. At hatching, males are whiter and females are red. Any suggestions for a good semi-docile rooster that would be a good meat bird for breeding. You need to know your *poultry* breeds, how to handle cockerels from when they are chicks and recognize & mitigate factors that affect behavior. Large, extra docile or overly fluffy breeds typically have lower fertility rates. In either case, its wise to handle them a lot, especially when theyre young. Splash chickens bred together will always produce splash chicks. When fully grown, there is no mistaking a rooster for a hen, as their wattles and comb grow to be 3-4 times the size of their hens! Since blue is heterozygous you will get mostly blue chicks with the rest being black or splash. It doesn't last though! I have RIR thats about 5 mos old that crowed yesterday morning, & Im not sure its a hen or roo. This is technically still my first year with chickens. Holding a chick by the scruff of its neck. The male offspring are feathered barred like their mother and the female offspring are a solid color, typically black. Although both Rhode Island Red hens and roosters are gorgeous souls, if youre raising them yourself, you dont want too many roosters, if any depending on the requirements of your flock! it looks like a roo, but acts like a hen. The shoulder and neck are adorned with hackles flowing down the back. Thank you for this article! A person who is writing is wise to assume that the readers know nothing & make sure that they are clear in their presentation. They look exactly like a mini version of a stereotypical chicken and lay a lot of small cream eggs. Are you happy to raise mutt birds? Feathered behemoths are typically very docile, even though they may appear quite imposing. Dont expect them to deter any varmint larger than a field mouse, but a well-handled bantam rooster can be a rewarding and endearing pet. Here are the main physical and behavioral differences between a Silkie hen vs. a Silkie rooster. Egg candling. Black sex-linkedisa cross between a Barred Plymouth Rock hen and a Rhode Island Red rooster. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Its another thing to deal with Why does your rooster crow outside my bedroom window! Can you locate the coop farther away from your neighbors? Blue Andalusians are a great option for anyone who wants a lot of white eggs from a blue chicken! Let's stay updated! Actually, you might be surprised by some who will think, based on this article, that there is a breed of chicken comprised solely of roosters. Byfour to six months of age, secondary feathers begin to formas the birds approach sexual maturity. Many breeds have blue individuals or include some color that is influenced by blue. In some breeds, hackle feathers are a different color than feathers on other parts of their bodies. Hens tend to stay closer to the ground, and only stretch up to around 15-16 inches in height, weighing in at about 10 pounds. Onhybridbabyroosters, the primary feathers are shorter, look spindly, and lacka noticeable row of primary coverts. At this age, wouldnt it have a wattle by now if it was a roo? Nonetheless, for you to actualize the highest profits, you should sex your chicken to know how best to care for it. There are three rooster behaviors to consider when picking protective roosters; stature, attentiveness, and attitude. Moreover, a roosters legs are thicker than the hens to support its larger body frame. Hens on the other hand will be slower to develop their comb and wattles. A Rhode Island Red rooster is your flock's leader and keeps it in line and safe from predators. They can be very chatty in group situations or when travelling as a flock, but in general their demeanor is much quieter and more subdued than the roosters. It can also be a living lawn ornament or a great way to make door-to-door salespeople think twice. Best Rooster Breed. Hens will continue to communicate in cheeps and trills, only the boys will crow. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. The most distinctive are the hackle, saddle, and tail feathers. Nothing more, nothing less. Rhode Island Red Hen vs Rooster How to Tell the Difference? Considering, it is best to be very careful about what information is presented and words that are used to make sure it is clear and accurate. Ive already covered why in my reply to another flamer. Rhode Island Red hens raise their chicks and nest. The flock and the keeper love to forage, and the rooster is always on guard for trouble. Delayed Feathering: Certain pure breeds can be sexed by the wing feathers. I doubt anyone thinks there is a breed of chicken that is comprised solely of roosters. Her legs are a glossy orange color. Thanks! Hens tend to stay closer to the ground, and only stretch up to around 15-16 inches in height, weighing in at about 10 pounds. Two of them are Polish and very attentive and friendly. Slightly skiddish. TheWelsummerbreed has differences in striping between males and females, accurate to about 90% (with experience). Sapphire Olive Egger16. This helps them to stay in contact with each other and not get separated from the flock (there is safety in numbers). Maybe it is just regional, but aside from the article written here & one other I read elsewhere at about the same time, I have not heard this term used in any serious agricultural circles. Breeds include the Bovan Nera (sometimes called Black Rocks or Black Stars) in which Rhode Island Reds are crossed with Barred Plymouth Rocks. There are known bantam varieties of Rhode Islands, though they are definitely less common. A big sign is they will start to crow around seven weeks or so. Reply. You may find a bad apple, so try another rooster before giving up on the breed. Below are a few differences between chick roosters and hens at different stages. Rhode Island Reds are a great choice for beginner chicken-keepers, or expert small flock keepers alike! So sometimes appearances can be deceptive! This variety is a black-breasted red with a copy of the blue gene. Juan (who was Juanita) is protective of the hens but runs from us! Other examples of incomplete dominance are red/white in snapdragons or the cream gene in horses. He will be alert and have a glorious plumage with large comb and wattles and regal tail feathers. Hens feathers will be more rounded. Sex-linked chickens are crossbred hybrids, producingthe desirable traits of both parent breeds (such as egg color, egg production, or meat production). Sometimes, a rooster does a little dance for the hen to squat for him to mate. I think you are very mistaken. 16 week old Rhode Island Red Rooster and Point of Lay.Chapters0:00 Intro0:27 Rooster Comb & Wattles0:31 Hen pecking my finger0:36 The Hen Comb & Wattles1:40 . The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Whether youre interested in backyard chickens, exhibition birds, or even production birds, there is a blue one out there for you!