Cockerel spurs

[valeriebutterley]

At about what age do LF spurs, i.e. RIR start growing? I think I have a "dont know" hen. I was assured it was a hen by a breeder, and I have managed somehow to hatch a bantam RIR hen with two very large, actually ENORMOUS, siblings, one of which crows. The cockerel that hatched with them was obviously a cock and went weeks ago. Can somebody, please, (when they have stopped laughing) give me a sensible answer. The reason I doubt the hen's gender is that a friend - a RIR breeder - said the bigger ones were hens because of the absence of spurs and also said something about the shape ofthe comb. The eggs were ebay from a very reputable breeder, and 4 out of six hatched. No mention in the breeder's blurb about breeding bantam RIRs though.
I hope the above is clear, and may envoke enough sympathy for loads of answers, regards all, VB,

 

[Anonymous]

have you got any pics you could put up of the hen/cock? how many weeks old is it?

 

[valeriebutterley]

Many thanks for your reply. Cannot do pictures, but the hen in question is massive and so is the other sister. They are 15 weeks old and do have floppy green tail feathers - they are magnificent!!!!!, VB.

 

[Aileen]

Floppy green tail feathers..... def boys!!! Thats eventually how I figured mine out as he wasn't very good at cockadoodling.. more of a skwakadoodle, in the end it was his tail feathers that gave him away, funnily enough it was a RIR then too, maybe they develop late?? Had to change her name from Rouge to Roger!

 

[valeriebutterley]

Aileen - thanks, the awful truth dawned on me when the second "hen" cockadoodled at me just now! - back to one of my original problems, how do I get rid of them? They are magnificent deep rosewood coloured boys, but unkeepable, nobody wants cockerels, only breeders. They are so healthy and lovely, I'm wondering if a vet will put them down for me, even.
I do not, as yet, do culling, I think I may have to soon, its seems a crime to snuff out the life of such a beautiful animal.
I love cockerels, most things about them, the way they keep the hens in order, and offer them utterly rubbishy titbits appeals to me. They are wonderful guards also. Anyway... I think a call to the vet is in order sadly, regards, ValerieB.

 

[Chuck]

Disappointing for you but there are far more males bred than are needed. Many of these males are of unknown or dubious breeding from eggs bought in an auction. Very convincing written blurb but ask a few pertinent questions of the sellers and they fail miserably.

If you get stuck having them culled I'm over the other side of the county on the understanding that they would be culled not kept - I've enough of my own !

 

[valeriebutterley]

Chuck,
thanks for your input, these are truly magnificent birds, everything as it should be. Thanks for your offer, but someone nearer to me would be better. As you say, people are breeding from probably insignificant stock, and these stunners may never get to pass on their genes to future generations. VB.

 

[foxy]

Hi Have a look at the standard for RIRs, and maybe it would be worth contacting your local poultry club or the RIR club. If they are good specimens then maybe a local breeder would be interested.
Don't forget to pop an advert here, and if you want to email me photos I can put them on for you.

 

[valeriebutterley]

Foxy, thanks,
If I cannot re-home or sell them I will try and get someone to show me how to do photos and take up your kind offer, sincerely, Valerie.

 

[chrismahon]

We have a big RIR hen with very long and sharp spurs who is called Daffodil. The spurs have to be trimmed regularly otherwise they become needle pointed. Lays very well but is extremely bossy -our Orpington rooster hates her. I guess the crowing gives them away though!
I have read that hens can change appear to change sex growing spurs, big comb and even crowing. Happens to one in ten thousand apparently due to a damaged ovary and the resulting surge in Testosterone, a friend of ours has one.