5 wk Barred Rock - Roo or Pullet??

[Rachy]

There seems to be a lot of us worried about our BRs! This is Annie, she is a 6 week old UK BR and was sold to me as a definite pullet, yet I still had to post and get BYC confirmation

I've been burnt by a Silkie before and since then I've only bought POL because we were so disappointed. This is our first chick for a while, so I'm super nervous!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Like almost all the "breeds" we commonly know today, they were made by man. They are composites of several birds over a hundred years ago. The Rocks have Dominique, Cochin and others in their mix. Once they bred true to what they wanted, they were shown at fairs and poultry gatherings. Those early breeders who originally "mixed" this new bird then wrote down a standard, describing in details every detail of what made a Plymouth Rock a Plymouth Rock. The Barreds being the first variety of Plymouth Rock. This standard and an idealized drawing of the bird is then voted a breed by the American Poultry Association. That is what makes any breed, a breed.

If people later on "tweak" that mix and sneak in some Mediterranean blood, which is easy to do and commonly done, to to increase egg laying, they continue to sell the birds as Barred Rocks. Since 90% of the customers wouldn't know one way or the other, on it goes. Would they likely be disqualified at a poultry show? Oh sure.

But the reality is that most of these Barred Rocks show evidence. As the bird matures, the tails look like Leghorns, the body shape is too thin, the barring is blurry, the comb is too large, and so forth.

Do most people care? Nope, not a bit. The bird is still a chicken and if they are healthy? That's all that is important to many people.

 

[Rachy]

Yes, I've especially noticed it in Orpingtons, as that is the breed I mostly keep. UK Orps differ to their US counterparts.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Some of this because the UK is the home of the Orpington. We might expect the UK to have different standards on a breed of their own making.

Similarly, the Barred Plymouth Rock is a US made breed and the UK birds are indeed different as the UK standard likely revolved around the birds that were imported there.

 

[Rachy]

Making an international board a very interesting place to visit!

Thank you for your comments on my BR. As these are a new breed to me, you have been most helpful and informative

 

[myfivehens]

I think everyone is right! Almost 7 weeks and still no red comb...I'm so glad too, this one is my girl's favorite chick and she has the biggest personality of them all!

 

[pamschick]

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Here is a picture of my chicks taken today.

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Here is a picture of my chicks taken today.

I hope so too!! She's really cute

 

[pamschick]

This is Patti. At least, I hope this is a pullet.

 

[myfivehens]

This is Patti. At least, I hope this is a pullet.

They look great! Is Patti a buff orpington?

 

[RHP63]

Definitely a pullet!