Barred rock chicken...hen or rooster??

[robinef]

Thank you, I'll post a picture when I get home of our other little one. This may be a long shot, but any tips you have to prevent mating? It seems to defeat the purpose of separating them if the main reason we're having a hard timing parting with them is because we want them to stay together! They seem to get along so well.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

If you have a pullet and a cockerel it does not matter if they mate. Fertilized eggs are just fine to eat. They don't start developing unless you leave them with a broody hen on the nest for a few days. Don't worry about them mating. And brother-sister mating doesn't matter either.

That said, you most likely have two cockerels. But please post pictures of the other to confirm.

 

[robinef]

This is our other one. They're about the same size now.. what do you think? Do we have two boys? Haven't heard any crowing yet from this one.

 

[0wen]

Looks like hatchery/homestead quality barred rock pullet to me...

 

[junebuggena]

This is our other one. They're about the same size now.. what do you think? Do we have two boys? Haven't heard any crowing yet from this one.

Cockerel as well.

 

[mustangrooster]

Quote:
Id have to agree..It does look like a Pullet to me. EDIT: But then again I thought the same about one of my 'Pullets' that ended up being a Rooster. Often you get those slow developers..

 

[junebuggena]

At 3 months old, the comb is too red for a pullet. Since one chick was a mix, it's a pretty sure bet that the other is likely a mix as well. Even if it does look like a Barred Rock. And you can't assess gender with the typical dark barring/light barring rules.
I'm pretty sure there is male specific feathering coming in on that bird.

 

[hnichols]

looks like a pullet too me

 

[robinef]

Ok so let's say we have two roosters (and no eggs to at least appease our neighbors!)... How strict do cities tend to be? We definitely have a no crowing rooster policy in the city.. Any input on this from anyone?

 

[junebuggena]

They can end up seizing your birds and euthanizing them. And it might even prompt them to pass a no chickens at all ordinance. It's a simple enough rule. No roosters. Don't put other peoples' flocks in your area at risk.