Barred Rock- 8 weeks. Roo or pullet?

[fiddlechicken]

Hi, chicken friends! Would love some feedback on "Beatrice"... Pretty sure I already have one Roo in my micro- flock already ( my 8 wk Bufd Orp), so I'm hoping "Bea" is not actually "BillyBob". Folks care to weigh in? (My non- chicken friends think I'm nuts, and don't understand my worry- they might change their tune when yummy eggs are a- plenty.)
Anyway, I love this forum, and it's nice to see that I'm in good company here!

Okay, here's the obligatory, gratuitous "flock shot". And a joke!

(What kind of music accompanies barnyard "adult films"? ...

Wait for it...



" a- brown- chicka- brown- cow!")

And here's one of the kiddo in question:

 

[fiddlechicken]

Ok, here's my concern: I see "Bea" ruffling neck feathers all the time. Bea is still pretty small, but pushy, and seems too be making noises that sound a little different than the others. Could it be a crow?

Here's a better side shot... (Notice the BO that looks suspiciously like a Roo..)

 

[Cyan Night]

Pretty sure your BR is a pullet

 

[Saerasx]

my 9 week olds have been doing the ruffling of the feathers/hackles but really only in play or after a down pour. I certainly hope that doesnt mean they are all roos! I just assumed its playing/pecking order antics.

 

[BantamLover21]

Your Barred Rock looks like a pullet.

 

[enc5681]

It looks like pullet , if it were a roo it should have more white because they have a double barred gene.

 

[aart]

Hens flare their hackles too.... it's not a gender based behavior.

Agrees the BR looks like a hen, not enough wattleage at 8wks.

 

[fiddlechicken]

So... My Buff Orp was a Roo- crowed at 11weeks! And then there were 3. Still nervous about the barred rock, "Beatrice". Anyone care to reassure me that "she" is a she?

 

[fiddlechicken]

I really do feel like her color and shape look "pullet-ish". But that comb and wattle have me wondering...

 

[aart]

I don't see and pointed hackle or saddle feathers that (I think) a cockerel should be sprouting by 11 weeks.

There's something about the barring that indicates gender in barred rocks...but I can't remember just what it is.

This thread might help.

or try this search...advanced search>titles only>barred rock gender barring