3 week Barred Rock

[LB0002]

I've heard you can sex Barred Rock chicks once the feathers start coming in. This little one is 3 weeks. Is our Rocky a rooster or a hen? Thanks!

 

[MysteryChicken]

I've heard you can sex Barred Rock chicks once the feathers start coming in. This little one is 3 weeks. Is our Rocky a rooster or a hen? Thanks!
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Pullet.

You can sex by the leg darkness as well. Females often have alot of dark wash on their legs, while males have very little, or no dark wash.

 

[LB0002]

Thanks. I selected her at 6 days because she had dark wash legs, but the chicks were straight run, so I knew it was still a roll of the dice!

 

[WingItRanch]

To me, this looks like a cockerel. It's much lighter than a pullet would typically be, indicating double white barring (which is male specific).

 

[MysteryChicken]

To me, this looks like a cockerel. It's much lighter than a pullet would typically be, indicating double white barring (which is male specific).

It's not, just a lighter Pullet. Notice large gaps of black?

 

[WingItRanch]

It's not, just a lighter Pullet. Notice large gaps of black?

I do but the head is so white. Much whiter than I'd expect a pullet to be.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I do but the head is so white. Much whiter than I'd expect a pullet to be.

Headspot isn't accurate anymore.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Pullet. Single barred, darker legs and a barred cockerel at 3 weeks has a significant little comb going on that would be very pink.

 

[WingItRanch]

I'd love if you could update this post in a few weeks once she's fully feathered. It would be a good learning experience because her comb and legs do contradict on light colored she is.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I'd love if you could update this post in a few weeks once she's fully feathered. It would be a good learning experience because her comb and legs do contradict on light colored she is.

To be able to sex by the head spot when breeding barred to barred parents it has to be consistently bred for that trait and most hatcheries do not anymore. Every barred rock pullet I have had over the past few years had a large head spot with a good bit of white on their neck as chicks until they fully feathered out. You can’t tell by the chick down with hatchery stock it’s simply not consistent. Now from a quality breeder that is a different story.