Is this a Rhode Island Red?

[PlotTwistPoultry]

Long story short, we ended up having to put our Western Rustics (meat bird, straight run) in with our Rhode Island Reds (sexed, supposedly.) At the time, we weren't* able to band them and for their safety, we couldn't wait.

We're trying to separate them out again because there's definitely some roo's that are starting to really get into it with each other.

This guy is questionable to me. I feel like he's clearly a roo, but I'm stumped on it he's a RIR or the Western Rustic/red broiler.

What do you think? If you have pictures of your RIRs at 4-6 weeks old, I'd really appreciate it if you could share them.

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

My reds at about 8 weeks

 

[PlotTwistPoultry]

My reds at about 8 weeks

Well if I can't determine them before then, at least it looks like it should be clear in May.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What do you think?

Not a RIR.

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

Well if I can't determine them before then, at least it looks like it should be clear in May.

They were that dark much before that, I just couldn't find any of the pictures. I'm guessing yours is the western rustic.

 

[PlotTwistPoultry]

They were that dark much before that, I just couldn't find any of the pictures. I'm guessing yours is the western rustic.

Honestly, at this point, I think I'm going to band all the questionable ones and take pictures of each. Then I'll come here and be like "help, please!"

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

That looks like a meat bird, he’s a chunker. The RIRs will be smaller boned.

 

[PlotTwistPoultry]

That looks like a meat bird, he’s a chunker. The RIRs will be smaller boned.

That's what I thought, but the ones that must be my RIRs are pretty comparable in size and shape. I did end up sending a picture of a different chick to ask if they could tell me if it was a Western Rustic. Which it was, so now at least I should know the feathering pattern.

Which I'll add. So this is a ~3 week old Western Rustic Chick. I'm positive this is a hen and since she loves me, she's not moving to the freezer eventually.

 

[redinator]

That's what I thought, but the ones that must be my RIRs are pretty comparable in size and shape. I did end up sending a picture of a different chick to ask if they could tell me if it was a Western Rustic. Which it was, so now at least I should know the feathering pattern.

Which I'll add. So this is a ~3 week old Western Rustic Chick. I'm positive this is a hen and since she loves me, she's not moving to the freezer eventually. View attachment 4081468

I have a chick I feel the same about . . . anytime I'm in the run/yard she rides on my shoulder and sings (chirps and twitters) to me while I work. She will defiantly live a long and happy life.

 

[500Chickens]

looks nothing like my rirs