Beilefelder sex?

[docdubz]

Hi all, I have 9 bielefelder chicks that are almost 7 weeks old. When they were younger a bunch of them had the female markings but now there are two that have a more bronze coloration and the rest are lighter and have much more developed combs. The bronze ones definitely have female traits to them and some of the lighter ones strut when I approach. But a few of the lighter ones have smaller combs and slightly feminine characteristics.

I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on the breed so I'm not sure if females are always darker and males are always lighter or if it's not always a rule with them. What do you guys think?

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

I only see one pullet

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

My bad two, didn't see the one on the left

 

[docdubz]

That's what I thought, thanks. Hopefully some of the white rocks are pullets or I'm gonna wind up with 13 roos.

 

[The Happster]

You have a lot of cockerels.
I love Bielefelders. The cockerels are so handsome.
There's two pullets excluding the white birds.
The pullet on the left looks like a Welsummer or Leghorn.

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Two Bielefelder pullets. Rest are cockerels. Keep one if you can, I love my boys. Mine are about 4 1/2 months in there pics.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I haven't been able to find a whole lot of info on the breed so I'm not sure if females are always darker and males are always lighter or if it's not always a rule with them. What do you guys think?

Are you kidding me.. they're an amazing breed that is auto sexing at hatch.. so you could have told gender from day 1! I also see 2 pullets.

Yes, at maturity the males of ANY barred breed will be lighter in color than the females as males get a double dose of the barring gene from their dame. A few link to check out with some photos and descriptions..

https://greenfirefarms.com/bielefelder.html

https://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/Biele/BRKBiele.html

Bielefelder Kennhuhn Breed Standard

Smaller combs and other character trait differences are largely genetic variation (aside from gender) coupled with different rates of maturity. My two Bielefelder cockerels have very different comb serrate's and heights to them. I see the same two combinations taking place in my pullets.. and may consider pairing them with their opposite (complimentary instead of setting them) to bring the next generation to more uniformity.

Rocks have also been fantastic birds in my experience.

Hope you end up with one or two great keepers out of your boys!

 

[docdubz]

Are you kidding me.. they're an amazing breed that is auto sexing at hatch.. so you could have told gender from day 1! I also see 2 pullets.

That's why I was so confused, I didn't write it down but I could have sworn that before they started getting their feathers there were 4 that had the pullet coloration. And yea they are definitely my favorite chickens so far. Haven't seen any of the cockerels fighting or being nuisances yet. My barred rock is very cool, I think that one is a pullet also because she's always been pretty dark. But the bielefelders are starting to warm up to me and they all have very mellow personalities. Those white rocks on the other hand are a little flighty and aggressive.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I didn't write it down but I could have sworn that before they started getting their feathers there were 4 that had the pullet coloration. And yea they are definitely my favorite chickens so far. Haven't seen any of the cockerels fighting or being nuisances yet

These characteristics can get muddled if not selected for.. Some previously auto sexing breeds or lines have lost this quality.

I do remember feeling conflicted about one of mine looking more female colored at arrival but still having the white spot on the head. These are my first batch of auto sexing, so I'm still early in the learning phase for this breed.

My boys squabbles in this group didn't really start before culling.. They had to set new pecking orders as I upset the old one. None of them tested me until I was down to the last two.. at which point both have either dropped a wing towards me to shuffle dance or "brushed" the back of my leg.. with quick appropriate schooling it has just been a very slight testing of their boundaries. once down to 2 cockerels and 4 pullets around 20 weeks old.. the boys had it out a little.. Red took top spot, both him and green were slightly bloody on their combs.. and they cozy'd up together on roost every night since then.. They're almost courting each other now!

My set up has plenty of space and escape routes for a bird under attack by another. Green can tell when he should avoid Red and respects his space. But they mostly stay together, Red watches the flock and Green escorts ladies to their nest! They seem to be settling into a nice primary and secondary flock leadership roles right NOW.. Things could change at any time.. I almost always keep not less than 2 stags of each breed I'm working with in case of predation, illness, etc. These two are promising.. I like different things about them.. and all the others I harvest were excellent in their own right.. they were really tough choices since none had easy obvious deal breakers like other breeds I've worked with.

 

[docdubz]

they were really tough choices since none had easy obvious deal breakers like other breeds I've worked with.

That's one thing that I'm worried about. With only 2 pullets I couldn't possibly keep 7 cockerels. And they are all pretty well tempered and Im not really seeing anything that makes any of them stand out, good or bad. I've spent much of the day looking over the rest of my flock and I'm pretty sure that 3 of my white rocks are pullets. The barred rock is tough it's pretty dark but has a large comb. Actually I'm pretty sure it's a cockerel since I just went over to get another look at the tail feathers and it dropped a wing at me. I guess 5 pullets out of 15 straight runs isn't the worst... Wish I could find more pullets for sale right now.