How do you tell a hen from a rooster at 22 weeks?

Answer 1

At sexual maturity (5 months more or less) there is a definite difference between the larger, more colorful rooster and the smaller, muted hen. Some roosters will develop green feathers, which you will not see in the hen. Also they have a different feather pattern with "saddles", "manes" and the striking tail. And then there is the crowing, which may begin earlier than 22 weeks.

Now be aware of one thing. Many roosters, particularly if there is more than one in the flock, will not show the feathering until 7 or 9 or even 12 months. I have had that happen many times over the last 35 years. I really thought I had more hens, wondered where the eggs were, and suddenly my favorite hen turns into a rooster. And I have also had "hen feathered" roosters, which is very confusing. Genetically, they just don't have the "show". I don't realize they are "hen feathered" until I see them mounting and successfully inseminating a hen.

Answer 2

At 22 weeks old, you can typically tell a hen from a rooster by looking at their physical characteristics. Roosters will have larger, more pronounced combs and wattles, longer and more pointed saddle and hackle feathers, and may exhibit more aggressive or dominant behavior. Hens will tend to have smaller combs and wattles, rounded and shorter feathers, and will likely start laying eggs if they are mature.