10 week old Light Brahmas, pullets or cockerels?

[Chickies321]

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering people's opinions on the gender of my tractor supply light brahma "pullets". The two chickens, Sunshine and Troublemaker, were competing for the top spot for awhile. The whole flock of 8 was in chaos when Troublemaker thought she was "winning" and she was such a bully to everyone so I separated her for 1 week. She did so good happily chirping alone. When I returned her, Sunshine did NOT like it and they stared each other down before fighting it out pretty badly. Troublemaker eventually submitted and the flock has been in almost perfect harmony since. Sunshine is such a sweetheart and a good leader and she gets along with Troublemaker now, who also doesn't really bother anyone anymore.

Are Sunshine and Troublemaker cockerels, or did they adopt these physical traits early because of the competition and fight? I'll also add a picture of my third Brahma (Chickadee) who looks like a pullet to me.

These babies are 10 weeks old and still make the cute cheeping sound, and occasionally a chicken sounding purring sound.

Thank you so much!

 

[Jener8or]

Yes, Sunshine and Troublemaker are cockerels and Chickadee is a pullet.

 

[ve]

Agree

 

[Chickies321]

Thanks so much, I didn't want roosters but I'm very attached to Sunshine. He almost didn't survive because he was so tiny, fail and had a bad vent prolapse as a chick. Will Sunshine and Troublemaker fight to the death next time or will they be OK together? I feel bad getting rid of either one. There was no blood during their fight just very aggressive. This happened about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Thanks again!

 

[Chickies321]

Another picture of Sunshine from last week

 

[Squawkers]

I definitely agree with others about the gender, I just wanted to say troublemaker is such an adorable name!

 

[Chickies321]

I definitely agree with others about the gender, I just wanted to say troublemaker is such an adorable name!

Thank you! I don't want to get rid of either of them, the thought of ripping them away from their family is sad to me. I'm a new chicken owner so I probably over think these things.

 

[Squawkers]

Thank you! I don't want to get rid of either of them, the thought of ripping them away from their family is sad to me. I'm a new chicken owner so I probably over think these things.

If you can safely keep them, it would be best for the cockerels.

 

[Jener8or]

Will Sunshine and Troublemaker fight to the death next time or will they be OK together? I feel bad getting rid of either one. There was no blood during their fight just very aggressive. This happened about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

Thanks again!

Animals are unpredictable. You can't ever say it will be one way or another. Sometimes they can work it out, but you might have a back-up plan in place in case it doesn't.

A lot of it will depend on how much space you have. We keep more than one rooster, but we have lots of space and separate coops that they go in at night.

It will also depend on how many hens you have. You don't want any of them being stressed out or over-mated by keeping too many males.

 

[Chickies321]

Animals are unpredictable. You can't ever say it will be one way or another. Sometimes they can work it out, but you might have a back-up plan in place in case it doesn't.

A lot of it will depend on how much space you have. We keep more than one rooster, but we have lots of space and separate coops that they go in at night.

It will also depend on how many hens you have. You don't want any of them being stressed out or over-mated by keeping too many males.

Thank you! I have 6 other hens right now the same age, next year I will absolutely be adding more and giving them more space. I'm going to do my best to keep them.