Big Legs = Rooster??? Really?

[Qi Chicken]

My chicks are 15 days old now and we have a variety, 5 EE, 2 Wellsummers, 2 Barred Rocks, 2 Buff Orps, 2 Black Australorps, 2 SLW, and 1 Wellsummer roo.

With the exception of that one roo all the rest are supposed to be pullets but some of them have HUGE legs. I'll have to get a picture on here. It is most noticeable on the EE. Several people have said on sexing threads that one of the hallmarks of a roo is the big leg. Is this true? Am I doomed?

By the by, my Buff orps have yellowish legs. Does this mean they are buff rocks? All chicks are from Estes.


Thanks!

 

[debilorrah]

I am not really sure I am much help, but I have some hens and pullets that have HUGE legs.

 

[adeechickluv]

Ehh ... nothing is entirely certain when dealing with young roo's anyway. SOMEtimes they have big legs. SOMEtimes they grow faster. SOMEtimes they're more aggresive. I would go with posting a picture in the topic "What Breed or Gender?" you will get a complete answer right away.
Good luck! Hope its a girl!

Adrienne

 

[Illia]

No, big legs never mean a definite roo. If that were true, ALL my Brahmas and Marans would be roos.

It is best to show pics - EEs often are sexable by color if they're chipmunk at chickhood, single combed chickens are sexable by combs at 2-4 weeks of age, and pea or rose combed birds are sexable by comb by 4-5 weeks.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
You are SOOO right. I just heard my 8 month old silkie "pullet" crow.

 

[Qi Chicken]

Thanks for all the input guys! I am somewhat relieved. I will take them out maybe over the weekend for another photo op. They didn't like the last one much so we'll see how it goes! I would love to have input on them, especially clues as to what the EEs will look like as they age. We are at the shoulder pad stage. They have little puffs of feathers on thier shoulders sticking out like little linebackers.

I usually sit with my chicks after I get the kids to bed. It's dark and their red light is on. I'm off for part of the day today and I can see in pure daylight with the red light off that the Buff orps do have more flesh colored legs, not really yellow. That makes me happy!

Anne