Barred Rock Cockerel or Pullet?

[Imprezznu]

My 2 Barred Rocks are about 8-10 weeks old and they look quite different. The first 4 pictures are Francis and the last 4 pictures are of Jet. I’m thinking Francis is a cockerel but the coloring is the same as Jet, so that’s really throwing me off. What do you think? Thank you!

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

Francis is a boy and Jet is a girl

 

[JedJackson]

That is odd. Usually barred rock cockerels are lighter in overall color than females. I think Francis must be a cockerel if it is 8-10 weeks old, but perhaps it is a black sex link instead of barred rock.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

That is odd. Usually barred rock cockerels are lighter in overall color than females. I think Francis must be a cockerel if it is 8-10 weeks old, but perhaps it is a black sex link instead of barred rock.

Agreed.

 

[Imprezznu]

That is odd. Usually barred rock cockerels are lighter in overall color than females. I think Francis must be a cockerel if it is 8-10 weeks old, but perhaps it is a black sex link instead of barred rock.

I have 2 black sex links as well and they look much different. It’s definitely throwing me for a loop! I’ve posted this on Facebook too in a local chicken group and I’m getting divided answers. Half say Francis is a roo and the other half say a hen and that her waffles just grew already because she matured faster. So I’m at a loss as to what Francis truly is. Luckily the name works for both genders!

 

[ShrekDawg]

That is odd. Usually barred rock cockerels are lighter in overall color than females. I think Francis must be a cockerel if it is 8-10 weeks old, but perhaps it is a black sex link instead of barred rock.

Agreed.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I have 2 black sex links as well and they look much different. It’s definitely throwing me for a loop! I’ve posted this on Facebook too in a local chicken group and I’m getting divided answers. Half say Francis is a roo and the other half say a hen and that her waffles just grew already because she matured faster. So I’m at a loss as to what Francis truly is. Luckily the name works for both genders!

Are your other BSLs female? The male and female BSLs look completely different. Females are black with gold leakage on the neck while the males are barred. So they would look totally different. And with the wattles THAT red and THAT big THAT early I feel confident in saying there is no way that bird is a female. Sorry.

 

[Imprezznu]

Are your other BSLs female? The male and female BSLs look completely different. Females are black with gold leakage on the neck while the males are barred. So they would look totally different. And with the wattles THAT red and THAT big THAT early I feel confident in saying there is no way that bird is a female. Sorry.

I believe the black sex links are girls, they’re all black and kinda look like crows, that’s what we call them And no need to be sorry! Luckily we live in the country out on 5 acres so if we end up with a rooster it’s not a huge inconvenience.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I believe the black sex links are girls, they’re all black and kinda look like crows, that’s what we call them And no need to be sorry! Luckily we live in the country out on 5 acres so if we end up with a rooster it’s not a huge inconvenience.

Sounds like they’re girls then and oh good! Glad you’re able to keep him

 

[JedJackson]

I believe the black sex links are girls, they’re all black and kinda look like crows, that’s what we call them And no need to be sorry! Luckily we live in the country out on 5 acres so if we end up with a rooster it’s not a huge inconvenience.

Black sex link males are colored very differently from the females. They are single barred, just like Francis and all barred rock females. Male barred rocks are double barred, which is why they look paler in overall color. So I still think it is a distinct possibility that Frances is a black sex link cockerel. I mean, that comb is huge and red for that age. Pullets would have very flat and pale combs at the same age.

The only other possibility I can think of is that it's a pullet with a hormone problem, but that would be highly unusual.