3 week old barred rock chick. Need help sexing

I have a 3 week old chick and can not figure out if it is a rooster or not. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

If you post a pic im sure you will get lots of responses

this is a picture of the chick i was refering to. excuse the red light it was my heating lamp

I have two 2-week olds that are suppose to be hens. I know when it comes to chicks 1 week can be a huge difference, but neither of mine have combs as pronounced as yours does. Don't roosters have bigger combs? (Sorry lol I'm new)

-Katie

Based on the comb size, feathers, and lack of dark leg wash, I'd say cockerel...but some of mine have surprised me, so I'd say wait till at least 4 weeks and post a pic again. I could tell what mine were for sure at 4 weeks, but I wasn't sure at 3 weeks.

Thank you for your reply. I am really hoping that it is not a rooster, because I live in a place where they are not allowed. I will post more pictures later this week

If it does turn out to be a cockerel, you can either rehome him or make him dinner. My extra cockerels are destined for the table...my first batch of BR chicks ended up being 4 cockerels and 2 pullets...so three of the four cockerels are freezer bound.

MontanaDolphin, at what age do you cull your cockerals for the dinner table? I've got my first batch of 12 chicks which I got straight-run from the farmer's market. They're 3 1/2 weeks old now and various breeds but all duel purpose. I'm trying to be a true farmer and eat those I can't keep, which odds are is going to be about 5 cockerals, give or take. Around what age will you cull yours?

Thanks,
Guppy

GuppyTJ said:

MontanaDolphin, at what age do you cull your cockerals for the dinner table? I've got my first batch of 12 chicks which I got straight-run from the farmer's market. They're 3 1/2 weeks old now and various breeds but all duel purpose. I'm trying to be a true farmer and eat those I can't keep, which odds are is going to be about 5 cockerals, give or take. Around what age will you cull yours?

Thanks,
Guppy

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Between 18-20 weeks of age. That's what I've read is the best time...the meat is perfect at that age...not too tough. I haven't done it yet...ever...so it's going to be a new experience for me. But like you, I am trying to be a true farmer as well...but for reasons probably different from yours. Regardless, to the dinner table my extra cockerels will go.

One thing I want to mention from my research...cockerels don't have lots of breast meat like the girls, and even the girls don't really have the abundance of breast meat like you get from the store. Just wanted to tell you that cuz when it comes time to cull and pluck and dress, our cockerels are gonna look really skinny LOL.

MontanaDolphin said:

Between 18-20 weeks of age. That's what I've read is the best time...the meat is perfect at that age...not too tough. I haven't done it yet...ever...so it's going to be a new experience for me. But like you, I am trying to be a true farmer as well...but for reasons probably different from yours. Regardless, to the dinner table my extra cockerels will go.

One thing I want to mention from my research...cockerels don't have lots of breast meat like the girls, and even the girls don't really have the abundance of breast meat like you get from the store. Just wanted to tell you that cuz when it comes time to cull and pluck and dress, our cockerels are gonna look really skinny LOL.

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MontanaDolphin, thanks much, 18-20 weeks, perfect. So, I'm curious about your comment "I'm trying to be a true farmer as well... but for reasons probably different than yours." If you can share, I'm interested in your reasons, always trying to learn and understand the perspective of others. My reasons are that I am saddened by the way chickens and other animals are treated on the factory farms, those that are destined for the grocery store chicken meat section as well as those that lay eggs. I'm a vegetarian (for this reason and because I don't really like the taste of meat) but my husband is not. So, rather than buying chicken from the grocery store, I will give my roos a better life and then prepare him myself for the table. I'll be closer to our food and I'm positive, appreciate it in many ways, that much more. This is my plan... we'll see when the time comes if I can follow through.

What are your thoughts?
Guppy