Barnevelder breeders lets work together and improve the breed

[DiamondDust]

Hi BYC folk, I'm new to just about everything, so appreciate your patience. I bought 2 Barnevelder 3-day old chickens mid-September 2013. Now they're 4 months old, and are coloured remarkably like the two cockerels in this original post. They don't have the distinct lace pattern I was expecting,but a wonderful mixture of green-almost-black feathers, and predominantly black colouring. Also, I cannot decide whether each is hen or cockerel. I've read BV are slow to mature, so perhaps 16+ weeks is too early. If I post some pics, could you advise the (likely) gender? Thanks from BarnyBabe (BB)

Oh yes! Pictures are great! Also, yes, be very patient with your Barnies. Mine have changed SO much in the last two or three months. I get happier and happier with how they look as time goes by.

DD

 

[BarnyBabe]

Hi again, and thanks for looking at the pics. They are very camera shy! I shall post a few other ones to Bonnylass79's post. They hatched
about 20th September 2013. The one below has a 'black chest'. On the other has more pattern up the front. Very quiet, good foragers, have a consistent pattern around their acre. Really independent, they roam separately to the other crossbreeds!! Most noble.

 

[BarnyBabe]

Hi DD, here are some pictures. Both hatched about 20 September 2013. I do reckon one is a cockerel. The other ??. The one on the left in the first shot, has a smaller comb, and the patterning extended almost to "its" neck, - see the beak-front-on picture. The other has a black chest - see the reply post to Bonnylass79. Very grateful for your opinion re gender.

The last picture shows 2 other younger Barnevelders with different patterning. They were born about 1st & 3rd week November 2013, I reckon they're both pullets. Actually, I bought them as 'extras', believing these older ones are most likely both cockerels. Nice animals. Probably not show-quality stock, but then, neither am I !! Cheers BB

 

[DiamondDust]

Hi Barnybabe!

I would say the first two are both cockerels. The second two...one looks definitely like a pullet to me (the one in the back that you can't see the head of) and the other I'm not sure. I have the same trouble getting mine to sit still for pictures, lol! The two younger ones don't have great coloring but they may improve with time. I know mine sure have! I'm glad you are enjoying them! I love my Barnies and can't imagine not having them now that I've gotten started with them.

DD

 

[BarnyBabe]

Hi DD, thanks for looking. I shall wait and see what Bonnylass79 comes back with. And I'll keep you posted re the little one with black neck in the very last picture.
Cheers BB

 

[bonnylass79]

I agree with DiamonDust. The first two are definitely cockerels. The pullets don't generally get combs until right before they start laying. Plus you can see the long, thin hackle (back) feathers on the cockerels. Pullets have fat, round feathers on their backs.

 

[bonnylass79]

Oh, and the bottom one is a pullet. Guess I forgot to mention that. My guess us that the other is a pullet as well, just judging from the body feathers and coloring. Pullets tend to have more red than the cockerels. It also looks like she's going through a moult.

 

[bonnylass79]

I posted this on the Facebook group, but wanted to post it here as well:

We've been talking about how one moult can make all the difference in the lacing on these birds and here's a perfect example. This is a 9 month old hen. I had almost written her off because her coloring is lighter than I prefer and her lacing is very smutty. Now she's going through another moult. Just look at the difference between the new feathers and the old!

Old:

New:

 

[Happy Chooks]

Both males.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...r-and-improve-the-breed/4150_50#post_12636408

 

[Happy Chooks]

Hi DD, here are some pictures. Both hatched about 20 September 2013. I do reckon one is a cockerel. The other ??. The one on the left in the first shot, has a smaller comb, and the patterning extended almost to "its" neck, - see the beak-front-on picture. The other has a black chest - see the reply post to Bonnylass79. Very grateful for your opinion re gender.

The last picture shows 2 other younger Barnevelders with different patterning. They were born about 1st & 3rd week November 2013, I reckon they're both pullets. Actually, I bought them as 'extras', believing these older ones are most likely both cockerels. Nice animals. Probably not show-quality stock, but then, neither am I !! Cheers BB

Top is a cockerel, bottom is a pullet though she doesn't look pure barnevelder.