Wednesday, August 12, 2009

MISTER or MISS?

Okay, here are Pip and Pearl, my Ameraucana's: Pip on the left and Pearl on the right. Here's the thing. My friend Becky came for a visit last week to see my "girls" ( she is from a fourth generation farming family) and these words came out of her mouth, "oh I see you have a ROOSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " as she pointed towards Pearl. "See those tail feather's- those belong to a ROOSTER". Oh, Lordy. Becky spoke the words I have been dreading, but dared not utter. Please don't misunderstand- I have nothing against roosters, I just don't want one. This is a girls only club, no boys allowed!
Now, I'm still not 100% sure. Pearl has not made a "crowing" sound, has not picked on anyone, but there is something about those tail feathers that has me worried. Pearl's tail feathers appear more erect and fan like than Pip's. So, all you wonderful chicken keeper's out there, got any advice? I have a feeling I'm going to need it!




16 comments:

Leslie said...

When you show the two together, I would guess Hen on left and Rooster on the right. Not only because of the tail but Pearls legs look longer than Pips in the picture. Is Pearl taller? I have no experience on these things whatsoever but I can see why you're concerned. I look forward to reading the opinions of experienced chicken people.

Eve said...

Don't ask me Julie, but he looks handsome and I think you may have to change his name!

Dog Trot Farm said...

After being away for a week, I have noticed Pearl to be a bit taller and feathers more pronounced.

A New England Life said...

Maybe 'Pearl' hasn't started crowing yet because he isn't old enough?? I know nothing about Roosters either but it sounds like a pickle up there at dog trot farm! LOL!

Birgit said...

Oh dear, that's too funny! I have to agree with Eve, I think a new name is in order for that handsome fella. :)
I hope you get to make your blueberry jam and bread and butter pickles. Those are my favorite pickles!
Enjoy this sunshine while it's here. :)
Hugs~ Birgit

Joanna@BooneDocksWilcox said...

do their combs look the same or different?

Dog Trot Farm said...

No combs as of yet, maybe I had better put my glasses on when I check him/her out!

Jenny wren's nest said...

Oh no I think maybe I have two roosters than, I have been wondering about why two of my chics where so much taller, to bad the pesty owl who ate my easter egg laying chick didnt eat the tall (roster) ones, the owl must have expensive taste.
Jenny

Rural Rambler said...

I don't know a thing about Roosters but I am loving this post! I do think he/she has a very fine set of tail feathers :) Oh and it is nice to see Pip!!!

DayPhoto said...

Some roosters are nice. Warm and cuddly and friendly. Hang tight for awhile and just see what happens. The breed you have is not know for being agressive.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Cedar ... said...

and does Pearl have that distictive masculine strut? I haven't had chickens for more than 40 years, probably forgotten all I ever knew about them. Good luck!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

your friend is probably right but i haven't a clue. he wants to stay there with his sister...you should keep him and give him a new name or call him perly...that is a name of one of my male relatives who lived in warren vermont.

Jenny said...

Oh my! So the chooky called Pearl is a chappy! (-: To my totally inexperienced eye Pearl does look different around the legs and back end. If it is a rooster is there somewhere local that would take him off your hands......alive I mean!???

Double M Sheep and Wool said...

One of the best ways to tell is to look for the beginings of Spurs on the legs also the cone does not yet look like a rooster, I have some Girls with Quite long tail feathers, so thst is not always a sure sign, Roosters are not mean as most think they are usually very gentle and will not pick on the girls, only another rooster,theres nothing like watching a mother with her baby chicks run around the chicken yard, ya need a rooster for that LOL!

Dog Trot Farm said...

No spurs, no strut. The only behavior I have noticed different from the others, Pearl pulled a couple feathers from Henny Penny and ate them. I have no clue what this means, if anything.

Constance said...

Growing up we always had chickens and a rooster. I'm not familiar with the type chickens that you have. We did have some hens that had very nice tail feathers. I remember the roosters having large combs and doing that farm yard strut. We had several roosters that were very sweet I really don't remember a bad one except the little bantie that Uncle got to keep his little bantam hens company. That guy just couldn't get along with anybody. He went to live on the farm. There were lots of chickens and several roosters there. He got himself in line quick enough when he was out numbered. Of course they had a whole farm to roam on too. You girls are just lovely. I really enjoy your blog.