RIR Hen or Rooster?

[Laskaland]

Okay, be gentle please... I am new to all this chicken business.

I purchase some lovely RIRs at a small animal auction the first part of October. The guy auctioning them claimed they were hens, they appear full-grown but as of yet they are not laying eggs.

At the same sale, I purchase some Buff Orpington's and there is an obvious difference between the hens and the roos (and the girls are laying so I've got the environment right)

So, question is... how can I tell the diff between a hen and a roo for Rhode Island Reds? If you have a picture that shows me the difference I would be SOOOOOOOOO appreciative!

Thanks so much!
Christina

 

[Omran]

Idon,t have any pictures write now but I have 6 RIR hens and one RIR rooster.
The Rooster always have longer fether darker color fether around his neck and his fether is not smooth like the hen.
Rooster always make noses even when he is 3 months young.
My RIR hens started laying when they were 6 months old.
post a picture of yours that might help others identifing your chicken.
Omran

 

[Year of the Rooster]

The difference between a RIR roo and a hen is BIG! The roos should have long sickle feathers and a large comb. check out www.feathersite.com Search for Rhode Island Reds and it should give you some pics.

 

[gritsar]

Christina, welcome to BYC.
I don't know the breed well, so I won't try to tell you.
I would suggest that you go to the What breed/gender category and look at the threads involving sexing RIRs.
If you have some pics of your RIRs you could even post them there and I'm sure someone will be happy to help you out.

 

[Laskaland]

Thank you so much Omran!
I will try for pictures tomorrow. I have 8 of them...
Christina

 

[doodledoo]

Well if they are full grown then there would be an obvious difference in them as well. I have some that are about 3 months old and the roosters neck appears to be longer than the hens and their saddle and hackle feathers are coming in as well as the comb and wattles getting bigger. In my older birds there is no question as to who is what. Sorry I don't have pics to post for you but if no one else does then I can get some for you tomorrow. My hens have slowed down to almost nothing as far as egg production so yours may be taking their winter break. Hope you get some eggs soon!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Your RIRs are just as easy to tell as the Buff Orps, no difference in how the roosters or pullets mature. RIR cockerals get bright red combs and waddles, plus their saddle feathers and tail feathers coming in. A RIR pullet's comb stays small and pink til she is ready to lay.

 

[Laskaland]

Thank you for all the input friends! I will take pictures tomorrow if it doesn't snow!
Hugs
Christina

 

[rooster-red]

Hen is in the foreground, rooster in the back.

ETA: Welcome to BYC.

 

[Laskaland]

Rooster- red:
thank you so much for the pics! None of my chickens have Combs that large. I am hoping they are girls that just haven't hit maturity yet.
I iwll post pics tomorrow, would you help me out then?
thanks!
Christina