Barred Rock sexing

[Mosey2003]

 

[Susan Dye]

When you watch enough grow up, the males just scream "I'm a boy!"

He has saddle feathers going on, a very typical upright stance, long thick boy legs, and I can just tell by looking that those are juvenile cock tail feathers. Plus the much narrower barring on the hackle feathers. Plus his white bars are as wide/wider than the black ones, that's a male barred trait (except in Australia) because the males get two copies of the barring gene and the females only one. All boy. I'll get on my phone and get you a picture of my standard bred pullet that's the same age and you'll see the difference easier.

Wow! You've really got it down to a science! Now I'm going to have to find him a new home since roos aren't allowed where I am! So sad to see him go. Darn it. The hunt is back on for another hen or two.

 

[Mosey2003]

Those are all pullets in that picture, about 6 months old. See how thin the white is compared? Those tail feathers are also being molted out, they will be tighter when she's through that last juvenile molt.

 

[Susan Dye]

View attachment 1467207

Can definitely see the difference! Thanks.

 

[Floppy Pheasant]

I have others,they are so friendly..my one hen jumps in my car with me..lol

 

[Susan Dye]

I have others,they are so friendly..my one hen jumps in my car with me..lol

That's too funny!

 

[Susan Dye]

Those are all pullets in that picture, about 6 months old. See how thin the white is compared? Those tail feathers are also being molted out, they will be tighter when she's through that last juvenile molt.

Okay, a few more questions. Since my roo is still immature but getting more and more "romantic" with the girls, is he capable of fertilizing eggs or is shooting blanks at this stage? Also, if he is possibly fertilizing the eggs, if the eggs are put in the fridge pretty much right after they are laid, does that stop the growth of the embryo?

 

[Mosey2003]

Okay, a few more questions. Since my roo is still immature but getting more and more "romantic" with the girls, is he capable of fertilizing eggs or is shooting blanks at this stage? Also, if he is possibly fertilizing the eggs, if the eggs are put in the fridge pretty much right after they are laid, does that stop the growth of the embryo?

If they raise their tails for him and he manages to hit the target, yes they will be fertilized.

Putting them in the fridge will pause growth, but not necessarily kill it. People have hatched eggs that have been refrigerated a week before. As long as they're nowhere near 90 degrees they won't develop into chicks though.

 

[Susan Dye]

If they raise their tails for him and he manages to hit the target, yes they will be fertilized.

Putting them in the fridge will pause growth, but not necessarily kill it. People have hatched eggs that have been refrigerated a week before. As long as they're nowhere near 90 degrees they won't develop into chicks though.

Thanks so much for all the info. I really do appreciate it.

 

[Mosey2003]

No problem! We all learn somewhere, I don't mind passing it along