How to Identify a Rooster from a Hen

Wondering how to identify a rooster from a hen, or better put, tell the difference between male and female chickens? While it's hard to tell young chicks apart, by the time they are about 5 to 8 weeks old, you can usually distinguish between cockerels (males) and pullets (females).

Full-grown chickens -- roosters and hens -- are very easy to identify. Here's how.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Compare the chickens you are trying to identify. Look at their combs, the red flesh atop their heads. Roosters have larger, fuller combs while young hens will have small, lighter combs. Older hens have small combs compared to the roosters, although they are sometimes almost as dark.

2. Note their feathers, as roosters and hens of the same breed will look different -- roosters usually have more color on their wings and tail feathers than same-breed hens. Roosters also have more impressive tail feathers than the girls.

3. Check out the poultry physique -- roosters have longer necks and larger bodies than the hens. Their legs are stockier and longer as well.

4. Listen for the tell-tale crowing characteristic of male chickens. The females may cackle after laying eggs, or cluck throughout the day, but only the rooster crows.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have broody hens, those who will sit on their eggs, and a rooster to keep them fertile, you just may wind up with new chicks if all goes well.

Resources

• Chicken FAQ
• Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 9/7/2009 Cock-a-doodle do! Love chickens. Great ways to separate the men from the women.

[shenandoah]

on 9/4/2009 Good one! I guess the usual, obvious methods of determining chickens' sex don't apply. I am SUCH a city girl (~.~)

[Merriment]

on 9/2/2009 These are good things to look for as the chicks get a little bit bigger to identify a rooster from a hen.

[mymukki]

on 9/2/2009 something new to learn everyday here at eHow LOL