7 week old chick started biting

[Nigel27]

I’d make a post in “what breed or gender is this”. There are a lot of great sexers on this site(and some not so great[possibly myself lol]) some barred rock hens do have pretty big combs so my fingers are crossed for you. I would definitely contact the seller if they are all cockerels and see about replacement pullets or a refund. Be super polite at first unless they say no then pull out the “I post reviews” threat.
Please keep us updated

 

[gypsylady32]

I’d make a post in “what breed or gender is this”. There are a lot of great sexers on this site(and some not so great[possibly myself lol]) some barred rock hens do have pretty big combs so my fingers are crossed for you. I would definitely contact the seller if they are all cockerels and see about replacement pullets or a refund. Be super polite at first unless they say no then pull out the “I post reviews” threat.
Please keep us updated

I have done some research and I know sexing chicks can be very tricky. Thanks for your insight. It will be interesting to see what the next month or so brings.

 

[Chicken116]

Do you have any pictures of them younger? I would love to see their progress, especially if you have differences you noticed earlier, like as the feathers came in (timing, initial color).

I went with a different barred breed, and bought from a hatchery (shipped) to get my breed of choice. Barred rocks are in their ancestry given there are less pictures of 'my' breed I've been doing the guessing game. In any case, it would be fun to see yours over time too.

And, going by my non-experience and google-fu, I strongly suspect you have one boy and two girls. Perhaps the place you bought from has a guarantee? We have a place not too far with a 'no cockerel' guarantee. If you get one they either replace or refund, and then will take back the boy so you don't have to figure out what to do. They also will sell them at 5 weeks (which probably helps their success rate) and I dearly wish they had 'my' breed!

 

[gypsylady32]

Do you have any pictures of them younger? I would love to see their progress, especially if you have differences you noticed earlier, like as the feathers came in (timing, initial color).

I went with a different barred breed, and bought from a hatchery (shipped) to get my breed of choice. Barred rocks are in their ancestry given there are less pictures of 'my' breed I've been doing the guessing game. In any case, it would be fun to see yours over time too.

And, going by my non-experience and google-fu, I strongly suspect you have one boy and two girls. Perhaps the place you bought from has a guarantee? We have a place not too far with a 'no cockerel' guarantee. If you get one they either replace or refund, and then will take back the boy so you don't have to figure out what to do. They also will sell them at 5 weeks (which probably helps their success rate) and I dearly wish they had 'my' breed!

I just yesterday traded the rooster for a golden comet hen. There was no doubt he was a he. The rooster was just not going to work for me with only two girls. I have a small coop as I wanted to make sure I was going to like having chickens. I plan on getting a larger one next year and more chickens, of course! LOL I actually suspected when they were just chicks. He had a large, very distinct, lighter colored feathers on his head. Also his legs were very yellow with no black markings at all. See pics attached. I hated to give him away. I think is going to be quite a good looking rooster. Pretty easy to tell which one he is. He always looked a little lighter and then got much lighter.

 

[Chicken116]

Wow, he really is handsome! Glad you found a good trade too. Thank you for posting!! Very helpful and reassuring.

I'm not supposed to have roosters so placed a female only order with the hatchery. Different breed so I can't correlate exactly --overall they are have a bit more light than your females, but appear to be less than your boy (so far), and definitely not as much disparity in appearance between them. I know I really need to wait a LITTLE longer to be more confident.

That said, I have homes for my 'extras' and it would be nice to move them out sooner than later for (my) convenience. One of the places would be okay with a rooster so it wouldn't really be a huge problem to have.

Shoot the breed I have is the California Grey. A rooster given to a bunch of Leghorn females is how the California White hybrid is done...so to some people that would be a highly desirable male. Greys are great layers but the Whites are truly superb.

In any case, I love your photos and they are reassuring to me given just how different the boy looks.

 

[gypsylady32]

Wow, he really is handsome! Glad you found a good trade too. Thank you for posting!! Very helpful and reassuring.

I'm not supposed to have roosters so placed a female only order with the hatchery. Different breed so I can't correlate exactly --overall they are have a bit more light than your females, but appear to be less than your boy (so far), and definitely not as much disparity in appearance between them. I know I really need to wait a LITTLE longer to be more confident.

That said, I have homes for my 'extras' and it would be nice to move them out sooner than later for (my) convenience. One of the places would be okay with a rooster so it wouldn't really be a huge problem to have.

Shoot the breed I have is the California Grey. A rooster given to a bunch of Leghorn females is how the California White hybrid is done...so to some people that would be a highly desirable male. Greys are great layers but the Whites are truly superb.

In any case, I love your photos and they are reassuring to me given just how different the boy looks.

Just looked up the California Greys and Whites...nice looking birds!! My rooster had already started posturing and herding the two girls around. He would charge at my dog too. Very protective. He'll make a great guardian.