This is a comb, right?

[lynn]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/trillian_42/IMG_4695.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/trillian_42/IMG_4692.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/trillian_42/IMG_4691.jpg

I'm squeaky new to the hobby, I'm looking to keep four hens so I bought 8 chicks, four gold laced wyandottes, four silver laced wyandottes, and the guy threw in two barred rocks. A friend with a farm has agreed to take the ones I can't keep (and if she culls the roosters, I don't have to feel guilty [although technically I'm not zoned for them anyhow]) This one is pretty cocky, pardon the pun, but I just want to be sure it's not like a boil or infected. None of the other ones' are this big, but the gold-laced seem to be growing the fastest.

[RonL]

Hi Lynn :) Welcome to Poultry One ..........

Yes. You are correct in assuming that is a comb. James can be more specific as to what type combs your breeds have (they do have different variations). Hey, keep us posted how they do and let us know if you have any other questions .........

[JamesC]

Hi Lynn:
That's a Golden Laced Wyandotte cockerel. Wyandottes have what is known as a rose comb and at 4 weeks you can be sure that one is a male, plus the fact that he is getting bigger than the others already.

Too bad you can't keep him, they are beautiful when mature. Here's a link that would show you what he will look like:

http://feathersite.com/Poultry/CGP/Wyand/BRKWyand.html

James

[lynn]

I hope tammy (the gal i'm giving him to) does, I've been to that site before and they are lovely. I've got them all in an extra-long rubbermaid but the weather (northern illinois) isn't predictable to put them out for awhile yet (not to mention that they're kinda little and I'm a big baby). Is there any way to keep them from filling their water with woodchips every ten seconds?

[JamesC]

lynn:
Put the water on a block or a brick to get it up above the shavings. That won't keep them out completely but it will help.

James

[lynn]

Worked great. The babies are so big now, and have moved into the coop (thank god we put it on wheels) in the garage. A friend of my dad's came by and took three that are roosters, unfortunately two of the golden wyandottes and one of the silver laced. The silver laced are way flighty, and the gold laced aren't much better, but the barred rocks are fearless. They'll come up and eat bugs out of my palm, and are always curious about what we're up to.

Both of the barred rocks have a wee little ridge on their head, any way to guess the sex on those? I'm afeared that the ones I'm most attached to I'll have to give away.