Barnyard mix mystery chicks

[Dona Worry]

It is very early on and I can't see the combs/wattles too clearly in those pictures. My guess is that the two less feathered birds are males and the one with more complete feathering is a female, but guesses aren't very accurate at that age unless the birds have big combs and/or wattles, in which case they are cockerels.

So you think Darky Fat Fan is a pullet, and the other two are cockerels?

 

[JedJackson]

So you think Darky Fat Fan is a pullet, and the other two are cockerels?

That's my guess based on the way their feathers are coming in. But definitely try back at 7 or 8 weeks if it isn't obvious by then. Larger red combs and wattles in the next few weeks will mean cockerel.

 

[Dona Worry]

That's my guess based on the way their feathers are coming in. But definitely try back at 7 or 8 weeks if it isn't obvious by then. Larger red combs and wattles in the next few weeks will mean cockerel.

I am already 100% sure Bubba is a cockerel.

 

[JedJackson]

I am already 100% sure Bubba is a cockerel.

Yes, first hand interaction is the most reliable thing to go on. We can only look at appearance on here and make educated guesses. I do hope you will get 2 pullets instead of 1. Time will tell.

 

[Dona Worry]

Yes, first hand interaction is the most reliable thing to go on. We can only look at appearance on here and make educated guesses. I do hope you will get 2 pullets instead of 1. Time will tell.

This hen has had really early showing cockerals in the past... BUT she also kills all but one of her chicks through pure stupidity by about a week in.
SO, do the males from this hen ALL show early signs, or do the early maturing ones just live while the slower ones and pullets die off?
Perhaps we will find out!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

With mixed breeds, you can't go by any physical feather development as they will all develop differently.

The best thing to look at is the comb and wattles. Males will show more comb development and pink faster. Don't be fooled though by earlier developing females in spring broody hatches as they develop under lengthening daylight and mature faster.

However, your 3 have only just hatched a month ago (in August) so are developing in shortening days.

At first glance, I am seeing what looks to be 1 cockeral and 2 pullets.

Your rooster looks to be a sex linked rooster, meaning he likely only has 1 set of barring genes. That means his offspring to non-barred hens will be 50% non barred both genders, 50% barred both genders.

Just watch the combs. Personality doesn't hold true either as I've had plenty of snottier girls. Although the boys do seem to instigate chest bumps more and longer.

You'll know more in a few more weeks.

Lofmc

 

[drumstick diva]

Does the father have feathered legs, looks like it?

 

[drumstick diva]

If mama tends to kill off chicks - take them and raise in the incubator. You may be losing pullets that way.

 

[Dona Worry]

Does the father have feathered legs, looks like it?

No, just some string tangled in them. He is a free ranging feral bird on a farm. Sometimes we catch him and cut the strings off, but he always manages to find more.

If mama tends to kill off chicks - take them and raise in the incubator. You may be losing pullets that way.

She doesn't ATTACK them, she's just dumb. Lead then through puddles, under cows, across the open gutter, that sort of thing. It's how I ended up with her--my mother got sick of her hatching out chicks and then being careless with them, so she sent them all to live with me, where there are no, cows, puddles, or open gutters.
When confined in a baby-proof run, she is an excellent mother.

 

[Dona Worry]

So I got a good look at their postures today, and while I was leaning towards Darky being a cockerel, I will agree with those who guess pullet. She has the smallest feet and legs, and while she still has a bigger comb than Pearl, it is very pale.
I still think Pearl is a pullet too, but there is plenty of time for that to change!