5 wk Barred Rock - Roo or Pullet??

[debid]

Another question, why are the hatchery barred rocks so different?

 

Why are they so different than what? Show quality? That would be because hatcheries are producing volume for backyard keepers who mostly want good production of eggs and a bird they can hang a breed name on. So, they focus efforts on production above all else and put little attention toward breed standards.

 

[myfivehens]

Why are they so different than what? Show quality? That would be because hatcheries are producing volume for backyard keepers who mostly want good production of eggs and a bird they can hang a breed name on. So, they focus efforts on production above all else and put little attention toward breed standards.

Ok, I just didn't know what hatchery barred rocks were being compared to when people said they are harder to sex. So I get it now, hatchery vs. show quality. Thanks!

 

[popsicle]

Here is my barred rock named Laverne. She is about 4 1/2 weeks old and looks like your chick. I hope they ate both girls!!!

I think yours is a cockerel--lighter in color and yellow legs.
ETA: I think yours must be a cross--the head/neck isn't actually barred, looks more penciled or something. So yours could be a pullet since the rules don't work so well for mixes.

 

[crowinncluckn]

I think yours is a cockerel--lighter in color and yellow legs.
ETA: I think yours must be a cross--the head/neck isn't actually barred, looks more penciled or something. So yours could be a pullet since the rules don't work so well for mixes.

x2

 

[crowinncluckn]

I think you have a pullet. Mine looked very similar to yours at that age and has turned in to a very pretty girl.

 

[debid]

Ok, I just didn't know what hatchery barred rocks were being compared to when people said they are harder to sex. So I get it now, hatchery vs. show quality. Thanks!

Oh, I think you may have been confused by my farmer/hatchery reference. Hatchery Rocks have two barred parents so there will be two barring genes passed to a male and one to a female. That makes the males lighter in color. But, mixed breed chicks can have one barred parent and one non-barred and the males will end up looking like barred Rock pullets because of the single barring gene. So, when people post their chicks for assistance, they often leave out where they got their chicks and that's one reason it matters.

 

[myfivehens]

Oh, I think you may have been confused by my farmer/hatchery reference. Hatchery Rocks have two barred parents so there will be two barring genes passed to a male and one to a female. That makes the males lighter in color. But, mixed breed chicks can have one barred parent and one non-barred and the males will end up looking like barred Rock pullets because of the single barring gene. So, when people post their chicks for assistance, they often leave out where they got their chicks and that's one reason it matters.

Ah, got it. Thanks so much for clarifying that!!

 

[nfldgoose86]

I vote pullet!!!

 

[Lupa Duende]

barred rocks have yellow combs and yellow legs, right?
males are slightly larger with reddening comb and wattle that, while it commences at perhaps six weeks, will continue to redden for another four months
Right?
Wrong?

 

[Zushimaru]

My barred rock looks exactly like that. She's 5 weeks tomorrow.
Here's her at 4 weeks.
Pullet BRs will normally have most of their feathers by 2 months cockerel take a bit longer. And at 5 weeks a cockerel should have much shorter tails. (can't see her tail very well in the pic)
Cockerels will usually start to get a pinkish comb between 5-7 weeks.
(Atleast with my experience)