Nine weeks in, and the gamble is already showing its feathers. This reader's straight run of "crazy cackle zombie" mix from Cackle Hatchery is turning into a cluck-and-seek of crowing proportions, with a third bird already busting out a silly-sounding crow. Our take? This is the real, unvarnished side of chicken keeping, and it's equal parts egg-citing and nerve-wracking.
We feel this post in our bones, and we bet you do too. The heartbreak isn't the crowing itself; it's the "hate ya can't keep them all" gut punch. You've raised these feathered friends from peeps, you know their little quirks, and then nature throws a curveball. The post notes that these two haven't shown posturing, just a "get off me" when others are annoying, which is exactly how the confirmed roo acted before he found his voice. That's the real struggle: you're not just guessing breed; you're guessing destiny. It reminds us of a recent piece on Help me crack the code on these velvety mystery feathers, where the mystery of plumage is a fun puzzle, but here, the mystery is about temperament, which is a much higher-stakes game. And when you're dealing with a mix that sounds like a horror movie, the suspense is real.
So, what's a chicken parent to do when the rooster roulette lands on all roos? First, don't panic. The fact that these two aren't posturing yet doesn't mean they're hens; it just means they're polite roosters, for now. The practical takeaway is to watch for the subtle cues: the "get off me" is a warning shot, not a full-blown challenge. A hen will usually peck and move on, while a young roo might do a little dance or try to mount. But here's the thing we really love about this community: the guesses. You're all in the same run, comparing notes on combs and tail feathers, and that shared experience is pure gold. It's the same spirit we saw in Cluck-tastic future BIL energy is egg-ceptionally heartwarming, where the joy is in the shared joke and the support.
The real issue isn't whether these two are hens or roos; it's that you've already made the emotional investment. You're not just counting eggs; you're counting personalities. And when you have a high roo count, you have to make hard calls about rehoming, which is never easy. We'd say, give them another week or two. That silly crowing from the third bird is your best clue. If these two start practicing their morning solos, you'll know. But if they stay quiet, you might just have two lucky ladies. Watch for the neck-stretching, the wing-dragging, and the little dance. The moment one of them tries to give you a mating waltz, you'll have your answer. And if that happens, remember the story about My hen's parked for the day: she'll eat but won't put weight on that leg, because even when things seem stuck, a little patience and a keen eye for the details can tell you exactly what's going on. For now, keep enjoying the chaos. The crowing is just the beginning of the conversation.