3 Barred Rock Pullets?

[MLPR]

We are first time chicken owners and purchased 3 Barred Rock Pullets, but I suspect that two of them are roosters. They are 5 weeks old. I would like to find out soon, so that I can make arrangements for family members for the remaining pullet. Can't keep the Roosters..

Thanks for your help!

All three from behind. Definate Pullet on the Left.



The Chickens in Question:

 

[MLPR]

Also, the two chickens in question seem to be a doing a lot of flying at each other, Matrix style.

 

[Nicole01]

2 boys and a girl.

So sorry.

 

[MLPR]

Thanks. I figured... It's pretty obvious, isn't it?

I am bummed because I'm pretty attached to them.

So, is it too late to introduce new pullets?

 

[CorinneP]

I cant be certain with these pics but sise by side you will see With BR that the comb quickly becomes more pronouced and brighter than the hens and they will get bigger faster . I would have a seperate area ready in case but it depends on the Chickens they may accept younger chicks but likely would peck at them and possibly stomp on them.

 

[Nicole01]

Yes, it's very obvious.

You can't add baby chicks to the older pullet, you'll need to find others the same age and size, which is sometimes hard to find.

I'd personally start over with a new set. I ended up with a cuckoo maran boy(same coloring as barred rock) and I took him back to the store. I did exchange him for a girl from the same shipment. They were only 4 weeks old and my other two were the same age. I was lucky it went well.

Once they reach a certain age, you need to integrate them if adding more. The pecking order is brutal.

 

[MLPR]

Yes, the combs are how I first identified them as Roos. As well as their lighter color. The obvious pullet has dark legs and the others do not.

I am only keeping the one pullet, as I live in a semi-rural community and can't have the crowing. Would the female also be aggressive with new chicks? And what if I got pullets the same age as her?

I guess I should search some other forums as I am getting off track.

 

[MLPR]

Thanks! You already answered my question.

I got them from TSC and stopped in there yesterday to inquire about the chances of the sex being wrong, but Chick days are over! Craigslist, here I come...

 

[Nicole01]

That's really a bummer. Where I buy mine, he sells them all year, even in the winter time when there's snow on the ground. This time of year, he has several breeds. There's no limit of the number to buy. He makes sure your educated when starting out. The owner will take back any chick(rooster or hen boughten from his store) and either keep or exchange. He'll even order a breed I want. It's too bad your not near his store. He sells chickens at all ages too.

It took my husband and I a long time to find a chick store.

I do look on Craigslist and see a lot of people selling chicks. Barred rocks are easy to find.

Good luck. If you do end up buying chicks, you'll have to separate the barred rock by a wire divider. It will take about 3 weeks before you can integrate if all goes well. Your barred rock will not want to be alone. She'll drive you nuts with her peeping out. The wire divider might work. Usually you can take the divider out and integrate when they are the same size. Keep a close eye on them when you do this, you'll know right away if it will work at that specific time. Eventually they will get along.

Good luck rehoming the boys.