Barred Rock 15 Weeks - Roo or Hen?

[newbiechix]

I don't see any of the rooster tail feathers on this one, but the neck feathers and bright red/large comb have me wondering. Plus, this little one decided to try crowing this morning. It was a very strangled sound, so it could be a hen impersonating a rooster, but I'm doubtful. Thoughts???

 

[aoxa]

It's definitely a rooster, and has the saddle feathers. Barred Rock boys will be light in colour (like this one) and have bright yellow legs, where the girls will have very dark wash down the front of their legs. ETA: Images for comparison. Here is my 15 week old barred rock pullet

My 15 week old barred rock cockerel.

and here is the colour difference (side by side)

 

[speckledhen]

Barred Rocks are able to be sexed as soon as they are dry from hatching. Males and females have color differences.


That one is a cockerel, no question about it. Love my Barred Rocks, been raising them for years now and they are my favorite of all my breeds. Have owned several wonderful BR roosters.

 

[aoxa]

Barred Rocks are able to be sexed as soon as they are dry from hatching. Males and females have color differences.


That one is a cockerel, no question about it. Love my Barred Rocks, been raising them for years now and they are my favorite of all my breeds. Have owned several wonderful BR roosters.

Not ALL barred rocks are sexable at a day old by colour - at least not the heritage ones. One of the 5 I picked was supposed to be a girl - had dark wash down the legs and everything. At least he is the prettiest of the 3 boys now

But from everything I've read, at least hatchery barred rocks are sexable at a day old by colour alone.

 

[newbiechix]

Not ALL barred rocks are sexable at a day old by colour - at least not the heritage ones. One of the 5 I picked was supposed to be a girl - had dark wash down the legs and everything. At least he is the prettiest of the 3 boys now

But from everything I've read, at least hatchery barred rocks are sexable at a day old by colour alone.

Thanks for the info! I didn't know you could sex Barred Rocks by color of feathers or their legs. Perhaps now that I know I'll do a better job of picking out the ladies next time... or perhaps I'll just order from a hatchery instead of trying my luck in picking out of the straight run chicks.

 

[aoxa]

Thanks for the info! I didn't know you could sex Barred Rocks by color of feathers or their legs.  Perhaps now that I know I'll do a better job of picking out the ladies next time... or perhaps I'll just order from a hatchery instead of trying my luck in picking out of the straight run chicks.

Well they will be easier for you to pick out (the barred rocks) now that you know.

This article is helpful for sexing barred rocks at a day old.
http://www.thai-farm.com/sexing-barred-plymouth-rocks-chickens/

 

[newbiechix]

Thank you for the website! I will try to follow those hints next time I'm getting chicks.

 

[ChickenExtreme]

100% roo

 

[speckledhen]

Not ALL barred rocks are sexable at a day old by colour - at least not the heritage ones. One of the 5 I picked was supposed to be a girl - had dark wash down the legs and everything. At least he is the prettiest of the 3 boys now

But from everything I've read, at least hatchery barred rocks are sexable at a day old by colour alone.

Well, there is a slight issue with the true heritage ones, that is true, but 99% of folks asking about them don't have those.

Even my Stukel Rocks are not that hard to sex just going on leg color alone, without considering the head spot, but not all heritage lines may be like that.

 

[PekinBantam]

Roo roo roo roo ROO!!!