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Please help me identify these little guys/gals

post #1 of 13
4/11/12 at 7:43pm
Thread Starter 

Well, they are all around 4-6 weeks old I think.  We have 14 total which were all bought at TSC.  I only want to keep one rooster and am afraid that I ended up with much more.  I have never raised birds and don't know what signs to look for with each breed to determine sex.  I have heard that you just have to wait until they start crowing but surely there is something sooner than that.

 

These are the ones I am really concerned about because they are so beautiful:

DSC_0019.JPG

 

I would like to keep one of these because they are so massive, I would think that a huge male would do more to protect the flock if a predator became a threat.  Am I wrong?  Here is one of two big'uns:

 

DSC_0052.JPG

 

And of course, an overal pic of them huddled up for sleepy time:

 

DSC_0068.JPG

 

Thanks for any help you can offer!!

 

-Steve

 

ps. I know that there is no such thing as a "battle chicken", but if one can fight long enough to make me aware of a problem then I am willing to sacrifice the biggest "battle chicken" available.

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post #2 of 13
4/11/12 at 7:48pm

The guys at the top look like Barred Rocks and the one below it looks like a Cornish cross thumbsup.gif

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

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It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

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post #3 of 13
4/11/12 at 7:51pm

I would say the top 2 are boys judging by age and comb.  Is your 'massive' chicken the same age?  If so, then he is a cornish meat bird and he is meant for the dinner table and cannot be your flock protector.  Sorry.

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post #4 of 13
4/11/12 at 7:53pm

Could the big white one be a cornish cross??  They will get too big for their own legs, and must be butchered.

 

The two in the first pic are barred rock, I believe, the bigger one a Roo, and the smaller a pullet.  (I could be VERY wrong)

 

Look for spur buds on their legs, pullets have little spur buds too, but they are much different than a cockerells are.  I think I can see them on the top picture?

 

As far as "battle chickens", we invested in a pair of geese.  They do a wonderful job of running off dogs, coyotes, skunks...etc.  Just do your research, and find a breed that is more docile.  We have Tolouse, they don't go after us, but hate "intruders."

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post #5 of 13
4/11/12 at 8:00pm

If it is one of those Cornish Cross, just be prepared, don't get attached to him/her. hmm.png

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

Reply

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

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post #6 of 13
4/11/12 at 8:03pm

The first 2 are Barred Rocks...couldn't tell you gender because I'm still learning how to determine that in young birds.

 

No clue what the fat white ones are...but in the group pic you seem to have several Red Stars/Production Reds & maybe some Tetra Tints...all good layers.

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post #7 of 13
4/11/12 at 8:09pm

That is definitely Cornish Cross.  They grow really fast and will usually drop dead at 6 months of age from heart failure, if you don't butcher them before that.  Plus they are poop machines and stink the joint up.  A barred rock rooster would be a better choice for flock protector.  

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post #8 of 13
4/11/12 at 8:12pm

Those Barred Rocks have some huge meaty legs ep.gif

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

Reply

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

Reply
post #9 of 13
4/11/12 at 8:15pm
Thread Starter 

I will post up more pics in a few weeks of the barred rocks.  The cornish crosses already seem very lazy; they just waddle to the food or water then camp there until their needs change.  I think they have always just sat around.  I'm not really looking forward to the butchering stage.  How long until they are ready for the chopping block?  I am feeling inclined to get rid of them now rather than feed them for a few more months.  I swear, those two eat as much as 5 or 6 of the others.

 

-Steve

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post #10 of 13
4/11/12 at 8:18pm


About 6-8 weeks is time for butchering.  Any longer usually than that they can just plop on their backs and die...

Quote:
Originally Posted by WillsBirdHouse View Post

I will post up more pics in a few weeks of the barred rocks.  The cornish crosses already seem very lazy; they just waddle to the food or water then camp there until their needs change.  I think they have always just sat around.  I'm not really looking forward to the butchering stage.  How long until they are ready for the chopping block?  I am feeling inclined to get rid of them now rather than feed them for a few more months.  I swear, those two eat as much as 5 or 6 of the others.

 

-Steve



 

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

Reply

 

It's the shape that makes the breed, and the color that makes the variety.

 

  -- -- Spa Days for Chickens -- --

 

 

Reply
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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Chicken Breeds › What Breed Or Gender is This? › Please help me identify these little guys/gals