Confirmed…he’s a rooster

So I mentioned the other day, that I have a bunch of chickens, one of which I thought might be a rooster.  He runs the hens around and very clearly is the boss of the coop.  He has pointy saddle feathers and he’s huge compared to the other birds.  Still, I was sold hens so I held out hope that “Licorice” was just a bossy hen.  I mean, each bird has her (or his) own personality so I thought I might still be ok.

Of course, the kids are out of town with my folks, so Emily and I have enjoyed quiet sleep.  On Monday morning, however, at almost exactly 6 am, we heard a sort of ill-formed warble that turned into a rooster-like sound.  He practiced a few more times and finally let out a few real rooster crows.  By 6:15, he was done.  I was able to visibly catch him in the act at one point because I didn’t want to mistakenly pin maleness on Licorice if it were really Beatrice doing the crowing.

Licorice, my "hen" that isn't a hen
Licorice, my “hen” that isn’t a hen

Emily didn’t hear him crow another single time the rest of the day or evening.  Tuesday morning, he was at it again from 6 until 6:15 am and then he was quiet.  That wouldn’t really bother me, but we do live in the city and have neighbors fairly close-by.  I will definitely talk to them and make sure they aren’t terribly inconvenienced, but city ordinances do stipulate that while hens are legit in the city, roosters are definitely not.

I talked to a few friends who could have roosters but neither needed him so unless someone else turns up who needs a rooster, Licorice will make us a fine dinner this weekend.  I hate to see him go as he is a pretty bird and really pretty gentle with humans, but I do not want trouble from the city or my neighbors.  Ultimately, all of the chickens will be eaten as well so this is not a huge deal…just a little sooner than I had planned.

The old stink eye
The old stink eye

Ah well, I guess this is the life of an urban chicken farmer.  I guess you can never truly know whether you have males or females until you get proof…noisy proof…

8 thoughts on “Confirmed…he’s a rooster

  1. There won’t be much meat on him. That makes the process a bigger drag, because you still have the same work involved as with bigger chickens, just not as much for eating.
    Good luck!

  2. I wouldn’t have the heart to kill such a pretty whether he be or she. Please don’t serve him to me for dinner.

  3. Once while cleaning chickens, a family friend of ours stopped by to chat and then stayed to help us pluck the birds. I caught him slyly looking at the butt area between the legs a time or two as we were plucking and finally asked him what he was looking for. He finally sheepishly admitted he was looking for the balls. He was a city slicker and I had to explain the ins and outs of chicken reproduction to him as a ten years old farm boy!

  4. So sad. Why not try one of the buy-sell-trade sites on Facebook? He’s beautiful and someone might want him for flock improvement. Do you know what breed he is?

  5. Granny Sue – I thought about that but I worry about someone wanting him for fighting…is that a problem around here? I figure so. As for breed, I have no idea…he was in the “black pullet” bucket at TSC.

  6. Ed – Poor guy…doesn’t he know that’s what they make chicken nuggets from?

    Mom – Don’t worry…that chicken we are eating…def not my birds…trust me, ok?

    Ceecee – I keep hoping he will shut up so I can let him get bigger but he was at it again this morning…

    Natalie – he is indeed…I like him but he won’t shut up!

  7. I think Schmenky got Baby Julio on Craigslist or Freecycle or something. Maybe she knows how you can safely rehome him.
    He is a purty bird 🙁

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