3 week old RIR (I think). Please tell me NOT a roo

[Jaks1512]

We got these two cuties two weeks ago at Tractor supply. All of the chicks they had were on the bigger side for baby chicks so I think they were about a week old at the time. They are growing and feathering quickly. We are fairly certain the first chick, Millie, is a she (has a black stripe on her head and no obvious roo features.)

The second chick, Sunny, is starting to worry us. Didn’t have the black stripe and seems to have a little larger comb and a little more of a macho stance. Also their feather colors seem to be a little different. Hope it’s just in my head. Would hate to have to separate them but we can’t keep Roos. They were supposedly sexed as pullets ...Thoughts?
Sunny is the chick in the second picture, and in the back in the other two pics.

 

[InterestingChickens]

Wait a bit longer, if Sunny's comb grows bigger or redder in the next couple of weeks, Sunny is probably a cockerel. Even then wait until they are 5 - 6 weeks old. By this time you should be able to sex them probably.

 

[Sablehaven]

I believe it is, sorry. But there is no harm in waiting and keeping your fingers crossed.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

I think she’s a he, but nothing for certain.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Tractor Supply is infamous for mixing up the bins and staff there have limited knowledge most of the time. Agree should be at least 5-6 weeks old to tell their genders.

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

There is only 90% accuracy with sexing chicks also, 10% for human error cause we all make mistakes, chicks are misgendered or tossed in the wrong bin from the hatchery, etc. Life has no guarantees, but if you have only 1 chick remaining after getting rid of your possible rooster then you will want to get a friend for your remaining chick as they are social animals

 

[Jaks1512]

I believe it is, sorry. But there is no harm in waiting and keeping your fingers crossed.

Thank you.

There is only 90% accuracy with sexing chicks also, 10% for human error cause we all make mistakes, chicks are misgendered or tossed in the wrong bin from the hatchery, etc. Life has no guarantees, but if you have only 1 chick remaining after getting rid of your possible rooster then you will want to get a friend for your remaining chick as they are social animals

we have four other chickens but they are older. Will they accept one chick? We do have room to add on more than two, so not sure what to do it this one turns out to be a boy

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

Thank you.

we have four other chickens but they are older. Will they accept one chick? We do have room to add on more than two, so not sure what to do it this one turns out to be a boy

How much older are the other chicks?

 

[Jaks1512]

How much older are the other chicks?

18 weeks...

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

That is too much of an age gap unless your older birds are very docile. If you put them in together the older birds could possibly peck the younger ones to death.