Hens or Roosters

Are you curious whether those baby chicks will be laying eggs or crowing early in the morning? Although they may all look the same right now, there are some tricks to being able to tell whether you have hens or roosters even with little chicks.

The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Is She Crowing?

Growing up we had a very smart hen, we called Henrietta. She roosted over the dog pen, so that no predators would get her. Her smarts paid off and she outlived all of the other chickens. One night something came through and killed the other birds. She was the only one left. We noticed that she stopped laying eggs. Her comb became more pronounced and suddenly she started crowing! It turns out that hens can become roosters although the opposite can never be true. After asking around, our suspicions were confirmed. Henrietta had become Henry the confused rooster.

Pin it for Later!

How to Tell if Chicks are Hens or Roosters

It is very difficult to sex a chick before 3 months of age. Even experienced chicken tenders have trouble. Unless of course, you bought a breed that’s color is sex-linked. In that case, you got it easy. Keep in mind that none of these methods are fool proof. The real proof happens when they either lay an egg or don’t.

The comb and wattle will be larger and darker.

As the birds grow you will notice that the combs and wattles on the roosters will become larger and a darker color than those on the hens. Roosters will sometimes develop these earlier than the hens do.

The wing feathers are different sizes for hens.

One way to tell whether you have hens or roosters is by looking at the wing feathers of young chicks. A hen will have feathers of various sizes in her wings. Roosters will have a more uniform size.

How to Tell if Chickens are Hens or Roosters

Roosters are larger than hens.

Once the birds are full grown there will be a size difference. Roosters tend to be larger than hens. Keep in mind that you must compare birds that are the same breed for this method to work.

Roosters have longer tail feathers.

The tail feathers on a rooster will be longer. They may curl over to create a pretty looking tail. Hens tend to have shorter tail feathers.

Hens have short, rounded hackle feathers.

Hackle feathers are up around the neck. Roosters will have longer and more pointed hackle feathers. While hens will have shorter and more rounded hackle feathers.

Some roosters have spurs.

It is a common misconception that only roosters have spurs. Some hens have spurs and some roosters do not. But in general, you will be able to see a larger spur on a rooster. I feel for the spur nub when the chicks are small and it has been the most accurate method for sexing them so far. I’ve only been wrong about one bird.