Bay Area BYCers!

[bikemandan]

Hey everyone, Dan here also from Oakland (San Pablo & 60th)

We have a barred rock and what I think is a RI red but we're not sure if the barred rock is a girl or not

(thread here https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=434469 )

Our yard is tiny and we try to grow all our own food so its been a compromise between chicken space and food space so we have only two birds but looking for a third. Any leads on where to buy a layer?

 

[jeremy]

bikemandan, welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you found us, I'm also in Oakland, we're out in the East though.

Well, your Barred Rock is a male, unfortunately. How many laying hens were you looking to have altogether? I do have 2 Black Australorps that I am looking to rehome, $20 each.

Did you plan on finding a new home for your cockerel or eventually processing him?

 

[OrpingtonManor]

jeremy, I just posted on bikemandan's other thread. I'm not convinced that it's a roo. Look at the saddle feathers in the other thread. I don't see any pointed saddle feathers. Just because of the tail, it seems that everyone is saying roo. I'm thinking, wait until it crows or lays an egg.

 

[jeremy]

The color is what confirmed it for me. BR females have much darker plumage. That and the size of his comb and wattles, a pullets would be much, much smaller and pale pink.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

My DSO had a barred rock that looked just like that, not darker at all. and, at 19 weeks, it is getting near to POL. Comb and wattles should be red. I had a BO that we swore was a roo because of the comb and wattles. When the first egg was laid, guess who laid it?

just sayin'.

 

[bikemandan]

Well I like what you're saying

haha
I hope you're right! I'll wait it out, he/she is not crowing or laying yet.

If its a he, then yes, he'll have to go. If its a she, well then I only have one more to add to the micro flock

 

[OrpingtonManor]

If the time comes and you have to process that bird, then do it. but, it would be a terrible shame to process early, and open it up to see an ovary full of yolks.

I love to be the voice of hope!

 

[jeremy]

Quote:
It may be a girl.

But I still say boy.

Dan, lemme know if you're interested in an Australorp.

 

[HiddenHill Heretic]

Jeremy..Is the Ameracauna order full?

 

[SunnyDawn]

I agree with Steff. Wait! It is awfully light colored for a girl but it's also a little dark for a boy. Without a side view it's hard to tell. If it's not crowing yet there's no hurry anyway. And, yes, a BR's comb will get very red at POL. Here's a pic at Cackle Hatchery's site. http://www.cacklehatchery.com/barred.html