4 week old RIR's Pullets or Cockerals?

[ColeSchmidt]

Hey we have 3 four week old RIR that we thought were all pullets, but the past week these two have really changed a lot! I was hoping you guys could help me out here!
This is Bean, we are thinking is a roo based off his comb and some of the feathering.



Then this is Bruce, who I was sure was a hen until I saw his feathering today and his comb really popped up the past week.


I know it may be a bit early to be determining sexes but it has been driving my family crazy. We are torn because want really want a rooster to watch over the flock we are raising, but we are afraid of the crowing and we don't even know if we can have a roo where we are! So let me know what you think on these two!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Bean is a roo. That much comb and red color at 4 weeks means roo.

Bruce is probably a roo too, but wait and watch. The comb is bigger but it is not red. RIR pullets can get larger combs too.

Just wait and watch on the feathers. Birds change a lot week to week as they grow from down to adult feathers. They molt a number of times replacing juvenile feathers with adult feathers, so colors can change a lot and they can look pretty funky.

You won't see the male feathering coming in for awhile. Males will get the big glossy green tinge sickle feathers in the tail and the spiky hackle feathers and the saddle feathers.

Lady of McCamley

 

[ColeSchmidt]

That's what I suspected! Thank you!

 

[Wyandottes7]

I agree with Donrae. For sure, Bean is a rooster. That is just too much comb for a female at his age. Watch the comb on Bruce, too. Its large, but isn't too red yet. I'm guessing rooster for now on him. Post some more photos in a few weeks, and I'll give you another opinion.

 

[BantamLover21]

Bean is definitely a cockerel. Pullets of that age, unless they're a large-combed breed like a leghorn, never get such large, red combs. I'm pretty sure that Bruce is a cockerel, too. His comb is somewhat large and red, and he shows slow feathering (a common characteristic of a rooster). Still, I would post new photos in 2-4 weeks; by then the gender should be more obvious. Male feathering (pointed saddle and hackle feathers, shiny feathers, etc.) won't show up until they are at least 10-12 weeks of age.

 

[ColeSchmidt]

It's crazy how you pick out three chicks thinking they are all hens and two end up being roosters! Thanks a ton guys! Ill post new pictures in a few weeks!

 

[Veer67]

I would say all roosters for the redness of their combs, pullets shouldn't have such a big comb at 3 weeks.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I would say all roosters for the redness of their combs, pullets shouldn't have such a big comb at 3 weeks.

I agree with this mostly based on the lack of tail feathers on all 3. Usually by now the pullets are more "chicken shaped" and don't have such a rounded look to them.

 

[BantamLover21]

It's crazy how you pick out three chicks thinking they are all hens and two end up being roosters! Thanks a ton guys! Ill post new pictures in a few weeks!

Well, its difficult to tell the gender of young chicks. Even professional vent sexers generally only have about a 95% guaranteed accuracy. Really the only way to tell for sure is with sex-linked chicks (hybrids in which female chicks are one color and males are another color).

 

[Wyandottes7]

Well, its difficult to tell the gender of young chicks. Even professional vent sexers generally only have about a 95% guaranteed accuracy. Really the only way to tell for sure is with sex-linked chicks (hybrids in which female chicks are one color and males are another color).

X2. It is definitely difficult to tell the exact gender of chicks.