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How to Tell a Rooster From a Hen

By Mindy 5 Comments

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How to Tell a Rooster From a Hen
rooster or hen
rooster or hen
hen or rooster

Wondering how to tell a rooster from a hen?

Well, the old-timers will tell you that you can tell because a hen starts laying eggs and a rooster starts crowing :)

Of course, I know you want to know as early as possible so let’s break it down.

With my first batch of chicks, I was nervous to get a rooster so I meticulously watched for any possible sign. It wasn’t until the 3rd flock that I got a rooster (4 actually) and I realized you can actually tell fairly early. In fact, I had picked out one of the chicks, thinking its size would make it a rooster and I was right.

Even if you have sexed chicks you might end up with a rooster since sexing chicks is only about 80-90% accurate. So how could we tell?

How to Tell a Rooster From a Hen: Characteristics of a Cockerel or Rooster

Mannerism:

  • Stand more upright and tall
  • Aggressive towards people or other chickens (tend to climb to the top of the pecking order)
  • Strutting/waltzing (a half circle dance with one wing extended downward as an aggressive move to show dominance)
  • Protective of hens/territory
  • Flare hackle feathers to show dominance (not a guaranteed sign but I’ve never seen a hen do this, only roosters)

Physical:

  • A rooster has longer and more pointed hackle feathers that are more reflective than a hens (although our Rhode Island Reds have very reflective hackle feathers)
  • The comb and wattle appear sooner and are bigger and more red
  • Bigger, thicker feet and legs
  • Only the male has saddle feathers (feathers that point down around the tail) and sickle feather (long curving feathers that go up and out from the tail, like a fountain).
  • Spurs on the back of the legs
  • Crowing

If you’re unsure of what some of these terms are here is a great illustration from Backyard Chickens. Of course, this is a general illustration and will be different for your chickens depending on the breed you have.

I was suspicious that we had roosters. This was because of their size and the fact that they quickly told our older hens who was boss. I also suspected roosters when I saw them flaring their hackle feathers at each other. I was sure we had roosters when I saw the sickle feather grow in at about 2.5-3 months old.

I Have a Pullet or Hen that Acts Like a Rooster, What’s Going On?

Some hens take on the role of rooster if there isn’t a rooster around (and sometimes even when there is). Some even start to look like a rooster and/or stop laying eggs. How’s that for confusing?

My thoughts on this are that if you have a rooster you’ll know, if you have a dominant hen, you’ll suspect.

Add your tell-tale rooster signs in the comments!

Filed Under: Homesteading Tagged With: chickens, fall, spring, summer, winter

About Mindy

Mindy Wood is the founder of Our Inspired Roots, the place to go for inspiration and instruction on growing food & medicine in a way that is healthy for people and the planet.

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Comments

  1. Sars says

    November 7, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    We have a hen that does the same thing we now believe she is actually a he. I would have to look at him/her with the info you have about how to tell.

    Reply
    • Mindy says

      November 12, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      I’d love to hear about it when you find out for sure!

      Reply
  2. Sheila says

    June 11, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    I also have a hen who I think might be a rooster, I’ve read and looked and looked and read but can’t find a for sure sign!! If anyone can help id appreciate it we do not want a rooster!!

    Reply
    • Mindy says

      June 17, 2015 at 4:24 pm

      how old is she?

      Reply
  3. Leanna says

    July 6, 2018 at 9:42 am

    I have a couple of suspicious hens and since I only have 3 chickens I was hoping for all layers. They were sold as guaranteed sexed production rhode island reds. The two i suspect are big but about same as other one with no comb. One f them tries to crow but sounds strangled which I’ve heard some dominant hens do. One has irridecent feathers long with the typical red ones. They aren’t quite lying yet, maybe another week or three.

    Reply

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Mindy Wood is the founder of Our Inspired Roots, the place to go for inspiration and instruction on growing food & medicine in a way that is healthy for people and the planet. Read More…

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