Barred Plymouth Rock - pullet or cockerel?

[SusanPC]

Ducchess should be just under or at 3 weeks old. She was sold to us as a pullet within days of her hatching. Any first educated guesses as to if she is a Ducchess and not a Duke?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

There is nothing screaming roo to me...she still looks darker to me, dark wash down legs, and I'm guessing small yellow comb as I'm not seeing any pink comb poking out.

But it is still early. Time will tell.

Lady of McCamley

 

[KBreedlove]

Do you remember if she had a defined white spot on her head when you first got her? Barred Rock chicks are typically born with a white spot on the top of their heads; I've heard that they can be sexed pretty accurately by whether the spot is defined or kind of blends into the rest of their head. Hope this helps!

Kaitlyn
http://cypressandmyrtlefoods.com

 

[SusanPC]

No good head pics from earlier, but here is a video that has some good shots. Sorry, it's long and includes all four chicks. She looks pretty representative of a pullet, but her comb has come in faster than our Buff Orpington (but no pink yet) and she loves roosting high on the feeders/waterers. No other chick has tried this yet, although they all are getting very good at flying onto their brooder ledge! Thanks to all!

 

[Kasey]

I say pullet. I'd think there would be more significant barring if it was a Roo.

 

[SusanPC]

Here are some pics from today. It looks like her little comb is pink - oh no...

 

[Fred's Hens]

The key time to sex BRs, if you aren't "dialed in" on seeing the difference is at 5-6 weeks. Depending on the quality of the breeding and depending on whether they are hatchery source or procured from a quality breeder of bred to Standard birds, they can still be sexed by a combination of features. BUT….. what doesn't lie? The red comb at 5 or 6 weeks? That is a cockerel's secondary sex characteristic.


Here's a male on the left, two pullets on right. Notice his comb and wattles. These are secondary sex characteristics.


Here's a male in the center, females on either side. Notice, no combs or wattles. 9 weeks old.


Here's a cockerel on the bottom, pullet on the top


A hatchery pair at 5 weeks. Already, the male's comb is reddening up while the female shows only dull yellow.

 

[SIMPleChick]

I say Pullet! My Mumford always had a larger comb and waddle, but she was a great Hen!

 

[SusanPC]

Uploaded a video, but it doesn't have enough close-ups. I'll try to get a more recent pic of my Barred Rock up within the next few days. Sorry - wasn't able to figure out how to delete this post.

 

[SusanPC]

I have some updated photos of my Barred Plymouth Rock. She / he is now over 5 weeks old. I'm thinking she's a female, even though she has the most prominent comb, everything else looks female. What do you think?