So I just assumed when I went to the local feed supply store that when I asked for pullets, that meant they would be hens. Is that not the case? Can my hens turn out to be hims? Lol (roosters) What would I be looking for to tell if I have a rooster? I have 4 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Cuckoo Murans, 2 Americanas and 2 Light Brahmas. I've attached a pic of some of my "girls" that are older.... And one of my babies. I can post closet up pics if that would help. Thanks for the help. Thought I was getting past the newest newbie stage!
The feed stores usually get the chicks from hatcheries that sex them right after hatching. But there is a small percentage of wrongly sexed chicks. And maybe some stores mix them up...from what I've read in forums here, a lot of people seem to end up with surprise roosters. Yours look like pullets so far. I have had good luck with my first 2 batches of hatchery chicks, all correctly sexed as pullets.
Yes, there can be an "accident" while feather sexing day old chicks. I have a cockerel now and it was not intended but we love him just the same. He came in a batch of 10 pullets that we ordered. Look for early comb and wattle development, aggressive behavior and size difference.
It depends on which feed store you got them from. There are feed stores as well as hatcheries that sell "straight run" (both sexes). If your feed store specified they were pullets, depending on who sexed the day old chicks at the hatchery they got them from, you have a good chance of having all or mostly pullets. I would agree with Sue T. But I have been on the rooster recieving side too. My best advice for you, is to have a plan B. Regarding identifying them, I think the chicks are too young. The RIR look like pullets, but it could change. You'll know when they crow! ...
The Cuckoo and RIR look like pullets to me. The other ones are still to young to tell. You never did mention how old they are?
