Sexing Barred Rock Chicks

[Sasquatch]

I have 2 that are now a week old. Any tips? or do I wait for comb development?

 

[Master S.M.C]

Not yet, they are to young to sex

 

[Lollipop]

Between 6 and 8 weeks the males will have some color(pink) in their faces. Pullets will not show any color until just before they are laying age.

 

[My chicken is cuter]

Females are most likely (not for sure, but most of the time) to have a darker wash down the front of their legs. I've been told.

 

[speckledhen]

I can sex all BR chicks at hatch with relative certainty. I've written this list so many times, but here goes:

Males: larger, splotchy headspot, lighter silvery/grayish color rather than black, no or little black down leg fronts

Females: headspot is more defined and smaller, down is very black, legs usually have dark wash down the front.

These, taken together, will give you the sex about 90% of the time. The other 10% aren't as clear and can fool you.

EDITED TO ADD: this is a BR cockerel, obvious from hatch.

 

[Daycare Mom]

Quote:
I had heard that too. I thought it was true until we found out we had two roos. I asked the people at the hatchery and they just laughed and said that they can't be sexed that way.

 

[speckledhen]

Not by leg color alone, no. I never say that. Always take the three traits together. The cockerel in the pic above has very little black. Some have none. I've never seen a cockerel start out with very black leg fronts.

 

[cluckychick]

If you follow speckledhen's advice you can sex pretty acurately. Mine are 3 weeks old and for sure 4 roos and 2 hens. Watch the development. The roos will lighten up almost to a silvery color before barring and the hens will stay dark.

 

[Daycare Mom]

Quote:
That is awesome info to have. I am crossing my BR with a dominique, do you think I can use the same rules?

 

[speckledhen]

Yes, it should apply to that cross.