Barnevelder - hens or roos?

[applecake]

Hi all,

I have a couple of ~7 week old Barnevelder chicks. I know sexing is hard (particularly for this breed) but would appreciate any insight into whether these two are roos or hens. They’re developing pretty similarly so they probably are the same sex.

Chick 1

https://imgur.com/a/E66rq1X

Chick 2

https://imgur.com/a/kX2rHpP

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and fingers crossed!

 

[RobertaD1]

Im going through the same struggle! I have 2 barnevelders... One I am DEFINITE is a Cockerel. His comb and waddles are RED! He also carries a bit of an attitude. Mine were 4 weeks on wednesday. He also has a very distinct wing pattern and is different from my other who has lots of lacing on the wing. BUT, the comb and waddle match yours... Not much red to it, but they are there. So I will be watching this thread to see what others say. I even read one barnevelder site that said dont trust the white on the chest... its not an indicator... UGH!!

 

[HungryPenguin]

Just for reference- my lovely Barnevelder is 9 weeks and she doesn't have any red on her super tiny comb and no wattles yet. I'm sorry :/

 

[RobertaD1]

Hold on.... just saw your pictures on my phone and not my computer, and could actually get to all of them.... those are both cockerels. I'm pretty sure.

 

[applecake]

Yeah... I think part of me knew but hoped it wasn’t so. Their combs do look pretty sizable and red-tinted. The wattles were also of concern for sure...

 

[applecake]

Follow up - i may need to give away or cull the roos since I can’t have them in my neighborhood. The thing is I have a couple younger (5 week old) birds who’ve been with the Roos their entire lives. Will they miss the Roos when they’re gone?

 

[RobertaD1]

I hate to hear that. Give it a bit, maybe I'm wrong. But advertise them, maybe someone can take them together. It's better for the birds to go together.
I'm sure that they will miss them, but they wont be devastated. They adjust pretty quickly!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Second one definitely is and first very likely is, but give the first a chance due to your circumstances!