BARRED ROCK :: ROOSTER OR HEN? HELP!

[2mefarm]

Here is our Blackie! Our FAVORITE. We think Blackie may be a rooster based on a noise we heard this morning. We are new to having chickens and thought someone could help. We LOVE Blackie and are praying it is a Hen! Can anyone help by the photos? I think we are in denial. I have a friend who's laying hen is SO loud and has a cone like this so I am confused now. Blackie isn't loud a lot just when she wants out of coop in morning. Wouldn't a 13 week rooster be SO LOUD always. I am so new to this, sorry.

 

[chicmom]

Blackie is a rooster. Very handsome.

 

[3urbanchics]

oh crap.. i just posted this same question .. mine looks just like him and they are gorgeous but a rooster is not in plans!!! if it is, do i need to seperate them for any reason?

 

[Apyl]

Rooster

 

[2mefarm]

how can you tell?

 

[Apyl]

how can you tell?

The comb is huge and red. A pullet would have a smaller comb at this stage and it wouldnt be red yet.

 

[Apyl]

The comb is huge and red. A pullet would have a smaller comb at this stage and it wouldnt be red yet.

Here is a pic of my Barred Rock cockrel (boy) on the right. The left is a Dominique cockrel.



Here is my Barred Rock pullet (girl) -- notice the comb differences.

 

[2mefarm]

Thanks for the info, this helps out a lot. Should we separate him from the hens? we don't want baby chicks just eggs so we don't really know what to do. looks like we are going to need to find him a good home.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

you wont have babies unless you have a broody (a broody is a hen wanting to sit on eggs to hatch them) or you incubate them.

 

[Apyl]

Thanks for the info, this helps out a lot. Should we separate him from the hens? we don't want baby chicks just eggs so we don't really know what to do. looks like we are going to need to find him a good home.

You can still eat the fertile eggs. The only way you'll get babies is if you allow the hen to lay on them for 21 days. So just make sure you collect the eggs regularly.