6 week old chicks: pullets or roo??

[DS17]

Anyone think there is a roo in this bunch?

 

[The Moonshiner]

Don't see any that stand out as a cockerel.
Looks like they're ready for a larger space for sure though.

 

[rosemarysugar]

All pullets.
Looks like they're ready for a larger space for sure though.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Silver laced Wyandotte..

I see at least a couple cockerels... are they supposed to be straight run?

According to feather pattern... the one in the top right corner will be male.

I also feel like one or two dead center are sporting straight combs?? Very common for Wyandotte breeders to sneak straight combs into their stock to fight the diminished fertility that comes with breeding all rose combs.

 

[DS17]

These are birds I am potentially added to my flock. I think they came from a farm store marked as pullets. 2 are staying with the owner. What do I need to look for that might indicate cockerel?? I already have a rooster for my sometimes free range mixed flock (dealing with fox and coyotes right now so they are staying in the run) Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[rosemarysugar]

These are birds I am potentially added to my flock. I think they came from a farm store marked as pullets. 2 are staying with the owner. What do I need to look for that might indicate cockerel?? I already have a rooster for my sometimes free range mixed flock (dealing with fox and coyotes right now so they are staying in the run) Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Look for bigger brighter combs and wattles, and watch for crowing.

 

[DS17]

Look for bigger brighter combs and wattles, and watch for crowing.

Is it too early to tell if they truly are pullets??

 

[rosemarysugar]

Is it too early to tell if they truly are pullets??

Yes a little bit, but you will soon be able to tell.

 

[DS17]

Yes a little bit, but you will soon be able to tell.

Bummer!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

What do I need to look for that might indicate cockerel??

I agree with other posters that I didn't see any waddle or comb indicator yet.

Color pattern on laced breeds... the females should stay nicely and clearly laced while the males will get some barring and their laces on the wing area are more splotchy...

And really the Wyandotte males do seem to show their waddles a bit early. It's possible the hatchery got their sexing 100% accurate on that batch. See what I mean about the laces fading on wings...

In chicks you can also compare leg girth. Boys will very often have MUCH fatter legs by this age.

I personally like the straight combs but I wouldn't select them for breeding. And it isn't a Wyandotte trait.

Roosters make tasty snacks for fox and coyote... I only keep them as a personal choice since some will fight to the death defending their flock but that just makes them the sacrifice. Many will tuck tail and run or duck down to avoid the confrontation. I don't consider them effective at defending my flock against the predators we face here. Just sharing here.

A little to early for solid confirmation, yes. By 8 weeks any late bloomers may have shown themselves and be able to pick more confidently.