Pretty sure our White Sussex hens are actually cockerels ...should breeder swap?

[HennyPennyHorror]

They're 5 months. We bought them about 4 months ago along with two little Rhode Island Reds.

The Sussex are MASSIVE and now have long curly tails plus ,massive red combs and chin things...whatever they're called. I've also checked their saddle feathers and these also look like male feathers.

Not very happy! They were sold to us as pullets by a local breeder. She's not massive as a business but certainly a respected local breeder where everyone seems to go to for their layers.

The birds have not crowed yet but I understand this can take till 6 months.

Would be be unreasonable to ask her to swap them? We have our two little Rhode Islands and they'll end up as concubines! Wer'e not interested in breeding.

DH is umming and aahing and saying we could separate them but I don't see why we'd keep them when we only have them for eggs. They're not particularly friendly and are actually a bit aggressive.

Do you think the breeder will swap them?

You can't keep two cockerels and two hens together. The cocks would fight and be too much for the hens. I'm not familiar with sussex - do check with breeder as some hens can have quite big combs. If they are cocks yes she should exchange.

No DH says he'd keep one and separate it from the hens but I don't want to. No eggs plus crowing...they're not friendly. Their combs aren't massive...bigger than our other hens but they're a different breed...it's more their tails and saddle feathers plus the neck feathers whatever they're called...making us suspicious.

I say the combs aren't massive...but they're massive compared to the red hens...and they're very red indeed...plus the chin bits...also much longer than you'd expect on a hen.

She's confirmed they're male and will take one back and give us two laying hens for half price. So we will keep one Cockerel and have two hens. Basically works out as a free Cockerel which I'm not sure about...but we live rurally so crowing won't disturb neighbours (only me!) and I've read that it's actually good to have a Cockerel for your girls. Is that true? The breeder said they seem to be happier with a male about.

Wait...it doesn't work out as a free cockerel considering we've paid already for two layers...we're now getting two actual hens and a cockerel...I suppose it's ok.

No...just done the sums! It's less than half price...oh well I'm happy enough!

No need for a cockrel unless you want chicks. Vicious things that often have a favorite hen and don't leave her alone. Will go for people. Get her to take him back.
On another note have you wormed them?

Yes all wormed....I'm unsure...I've read a lot of things saying cockerels are good to have around...

Also, we live in Australia where the magpies and other birds are pretty aggressive...regularly swooping and pecking our birds. A cockerel could be useful?

Love my boys. Not right to just kill them all because they don't lay eggs. They protect the hens and reduce stress in the flock which improves longevity and egg laying. Some might be aggressive but most are just minding their own business.

We had a cockerel for years, he was fine but ours are free range.